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Naperville's 8th Annual A Walk to Remember will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012, at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion in Naperville. Walk proceeds benefit the Edward Foundation SHARE Program and the Wings of Hope Angel Garden at Edward Hospital, which was dedicated in June 2010.
THE SHARE PROGRAM
The SHARE Program is a local and national organization that serves and supports those who are touched by the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth and early infant death. A Walk to Remember will raise funds that are vitally needed to support SHARE's mission to provide support to families experiencing the death of a child, raise public awareness and promote research.
Each year, 1 out of every 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, 26,000 children die as a result of stillbirth in the United States and another 19,000 children succumb to early infant death. Thousands of families leave the hospital each year without their child - with empty arms, broken hearts and a love for their deceased child that will never diminish. Help SHARE continue its mission touching lives, healing hearts and giving hope and support the Wings of Hope Angel Garden, a place families can visit year-round for remembrance and reflection.
The Walk has been an annual event since 2005 when four moms, Carrie Wrona of Plainfield, Laura Morgan of Naperville, Stephanie Fiore of Lisle and Amanda Albaugh of Oswego, who met through the SHARE Program following their own losses in late 2004 and early 2005, decided to join together to make a difference in memory of their precious children. They wanted to provide families with an opportunity to share their tears with others who have experienced the loss of a wanted and loved baby, to publicly remember their children and to find hope for the future. Funds raised through the Walk were directed toward the beautification of an existing angel garden at Edward Hospital. After five successful Walk fundraisers, the long hoped-for garden became a reality in June 2010. View pictures of the garden. Families are invited to purchase a memorial feature for the garden, such as an etched brick paver, etched butterfly or garden element. Please contact (630) 527-3263 for more information.
In addition to the funding of the garden, plans for future Walk proceeds revolve around the mission of remembering all children who are no longer with us, supporting and serving families in the wake of the death of a child, providing a safe and comfortable environment for support and growth and providing funding for various projects that support the Edward Hospital SHARE Program. Read more about support groups and resources.
The Walk includes a memorial service at the Grand Pavilion, located just west of Centennial Beach off of Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville. The memorial service features guest speakers, music, poetry and a reading of baby names. A two-mile leisurely walk along the Naperville Riverwalk will follow the service. Click on map of the Riverwalk and directions to get to the Riverwalk.
SPONSORSHIPS
We are so grateful for our Walk sponsors. Their commitment ensures that families whose lives have been touched by pregnancy and early infant loss will continue to have essential resources and support available to them. Please be sure to show your appreciation by utilizing their services when possible. If you are interested in being a sponsor for the Walk, please complete and return the sponsorship form or email bohn-michelle@aramark.com.
CONTACT US
- General Walk inquiries, including volunteer opportunities, email info@napervillewalktoremember.org
- Corporate sponsorship, raffle and/or in-kind donations, please email Michelle Bohn, Walk Coordinator, at bohn-michelle@aramark.com
- Edward SHARE Program: 630-527-3263
- Edward Foundation: 630-527-5956
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