Surprise Donations!!

Nathan and I went to the clubhouse of our apartment building to pick up our tote they had for the donation drive. And when we arrived, there were 2 bags full of clothes for the donation drive. It was such a pleasant surprise to find. Thank you so much for your donation. We plan on dropping it off at Meriter next week sometime. Thank you again so much for your donation. It means so much to us to have others donating. We were so pleased with how the drive turned out, but to get more is just awesome. Again, thank you.

What a wonderfu experience it was!!

Yesterday was an amazing experience for Nathan and I. I was so surprised with how many donations we recieved, but I didn't think we would fill 8 storage bins full of onesies and sleepers. I find it amazing and so wonderful with how successful the donation drive was. Thank you again to everyone that donated and have been thinking of us and our daughter, Alivia.

It was so nice to bring in 8 storage bins to the NICU at Meriter, and have the nurse manager be so surprised with how much they received. Also one of the nurses that took care of Alivia was there to see us and our success. She mentioned that they didn't have a lot left, so it was nice that the donation drive happened at the right time.

It was an honor to be able to give back to those who did so much for us a year ago. It really made Alivia's birthday feel like a happy occasion, instead of just a day without her. All of this was possible because of one beautiful little girl, Alivia Agnes Quinn.

These are some pictures from yesterday, dropping all the donations off. Thank you again for everyone who was involved.

Thank you to my sister's work from South Carolina, SC.

Thank you so much for your donation. Alivia's Aunt Katie surprised me with a donation from her co-workers. Her co-workers wanted to donate in honor of her niece, Alivia. It means so much to me that others wanted to donated and make a difference. All the items donated will be helpful to the NICU at Meriter. We really appreciate the donation and thank you so much.

Thank you to Liz and Kyle Henderson from Madison, WI.

Thank you so much for your donation. Liz and Kyle are good friends of ours and donated some really nice onesies and crib sheets. They have been wonderful throughout this the donation drive. Liz actually just left to after helping me sort and fold all of the donations. Thank you so much for everything, You both are wonderful and we really appreciate your help. The onesies you donated are so adorable. Thank you again for your donation.

Thank you for the donation from Madison, WI.

Thank you so much for your donation in honor of Alivia. It means so much to us. We are so happy that so many people have come out and donated. The clothes will be so useful for the NICU at Meriter.

Thank you to Kelly Stoll and Brent Henke, Sun Praire, WI.

Thank you very much for donating in honor of Alivia. Kelly is Alivia's Godmother, and my very best friend. She has been there for me for 14 years, and I am so blessed to have her in my life. It is apartly because of her work that I decided to do the donation drive. Kelly was an OB Nurse at the time of Alivia's deliverly, but she was training for the float pool which would allow her to work in the NICU at Meriter. Once she was trained, I learned about what the needs of the NICU were and thought we could do something in honor of Alivia, and help the NICU at Meriter. Alivia did live there for 34 hours. With the help of Kelly, I was able to contact the right people, and the donation drive began. Kelly knows first hand how helpful it will be to have all of these sleepers and onesies. Thank you not only for your donation, but also your love and support over the last year. We really appreciate everything. Thank you for your donation.

Thank you to the Schnyder Family from New Lenox, IL.

Thank you so much for your generous donations of clothes and blankets. Alivia's Aunt Jill and Uncle Jon's neighbors decided to donate in honor of Alivia, which is so touching to us. We are happy that they wanted to honor our daughter by donating. Thank you so much Schnyder Family, your donation is greatly appreciated and the NICU at Meriter will be so happy for the blankets

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Thank you to the Fox Family from New Lenox, IL.

Alivia's Aunt Jill and Uncle Jon (my brother) and her cousions donated some clothes in honor of their niece. Thank you so much for your donation. We wouldn't be where we are today without your love and support. Thank you for helping in honoring Alivia. We know how much you love Alivia too. Thank you again for your generous donation. The clothes will be extremely helpful to the NICU.

A another surprise donation!!

When we first started this donation drive we put flyers all over our apartment complex, High Point Woods. Our landlords let us leave a box for donations. Over the last few months we haven't received any donations in the box, which was ok with us. A few days ago we went to the clubhouse to get a package and checked the box, and inside was a green bag with several preemie outfits. It was nice to see that someone donated. Thank you very much your donation. Its means so much to us that your took the time to donate. All of the clothes you donated are wonderful and will be very useful for the NICU at Meriter.

Channel 27 WKOW's News Interview "Someone You Should Know"

Nathan and I did an interview with Diana Henry from Channel 27 a few weeks ago. And last night on the 10 pm news our aired. It turned out awesome. We didn't realize we would be the "Someone You Should Know" segment, so that was a nice surprise. Diana did a great job sharing our story and our cause. We hope that in these last two weeks of the donation drive that this news interview helps bring in some more donations. We have appericate everything everyone has donated thus and can't wait to receive more.

This is the link to the news interview.
http://www.wkowtv.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3942966&at1=News&h1=Alivia's Gift

A Sweet Gift from Sara Babcock!

Sara Babcock, is the Pregnancy and Infants Loss Program coordinator at Meriter Hospital. All of the monetary donations we raise we go directly to benefit this program that Sara helps organize and run. Today, we received a package from her telling us thank you for having the donation drive. It was so sweet of her to send us a card. She also sent us a beautiful strained glass butterfly we can hang in our window. It was so sweet and we really appreciate it. It is our please to be doing the donation drive in honor of Alivia. We are just so thrilled it has be as successful as it as been, and is still continuing. The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program is extremely important to parents who experience a loss, and to have women like Sara there to help families through their loss is a wonderful thing. We are just glad we can give back to the program that still helps us today, almost a year later.

Thank you very much Preemie-Yums Inc.

Thank you so much for your generous donation, Preemie Yums Inc. I came home today from work to find several packages for "Alivia's Angel Gift". It was such a wonderful thing to come home to. But the biggest surprise was coming home to a donation from a company I had written over a month ago. And when I opened the box, I found so many wonderful things all in tiny sizes for the NICU. Thank you so much for such a great donation. I know that NICU will definitely be able to use these clothes and will appreciate your donation. We are so happy that Preemie Yums Inc. wanted to donate in Alivia's name, it means so much to us to have any one donate, but to have some major companies donate is so nice. Thank you again Preemie Yums Inc for your generous donation.

Thank you Nana and Auntie Dee from Wisconsin Dells, WI!

Thank you very much for your donation Nana and Auntie Dee. We really appreciate your donation in honor of Alivia. Nana and Auntie Dee, are Kelly's (Alivia's godmother) grandma and Aunt. Kelly and I have been friend for 14 years, and her family has always felt like my second family. When we lost Alivia, it affected her family just like it affected ours. Thank you so much for always thinking of us and donating to the NICU at Meriter. It means so much to us to have wonderful friends that want to make a difference. The clothes you donates are so cute and sweet.

Thank you to Linda Olsen from Matteson, IL.

Thank you so much for your donation Linda. It means so much to us that your donated in honor of Alivia. Linda is a very old friend of Alivia's Grandma Fox, and would have been apart of Alivia's life. Linda has always been a special person to me so it is so nice that she donated. We really appreicate your donation. The onesies you sent are adorable. I love the cute sayings on them. Thank you again!

Thank you to Gymboree Corp.!!

Gymboree Corp. sent Nathan and I a gift card for $35 dollars a few weeks ago. We decided that this weekend we would go and pick someting out at Gymboree to donate. Thank you Gymboree for your donation of the gift card. We were able to get these super cute onesies. We really appreciate your kindness. Thank you again for your donation.

Buzzed into Madison with Emmy Fink News Coverage!

This morning the "Buzzed into Madison" segament about the donation drive aired during The Daily Buzz. It turned out great, and we are so happy about it. Thank you Emmy Fink for doing a great job. I am adding the link to the segment, so please go and view the segment. Thank you all of your support. And I hope we can make this last month of the donation successful.


Buzzed into Madison with Emmy Fink
http://www.madisonscw.com/video/VplayerFrame.html?id=14541

A Surprise Donation!!!

While Nathan and I were at Meriter yesterday doing the "Buzzed into Madison" interview, we stopped by the guest services in Meriter to see the sign that they have up for donations. It looked so nice. I wish we would have taken a picture, but it is at least there. We didn't think we would have had a donation because I have only annouced it here on the blog. But the ladies at the the service guest said that a woman came in and donated a whole bag full of really nice clothes. And it was such a surprise for us, but so nice.

So Thank you very much for your donation. It means so much to us that you wanted to make a donation. The clothes you donated will be so helpful and very useful for the NICU at Meriter. Thank you again for all the wonderful clothes.

Be sure to watch Madison's CW "The Daily Buzz" Monday morning from 6-9.

Yesterday, Nathan and I did an interview with Emmy Fink from the CW. Emmy Fink does a segment on the CW called "Buzzed into Madison". The segment airs during the national viewing of "The Daily Buzz" from 6-9 in the morning Monday thru Friday. Our "Buzzed into Madison" segment will air on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 6:20, 7:20, and 8:20 in the morning. We are so excited to have this opportunity. Nathan and I both watch the Daily Buzz in the morning, and see Emmy every morning doing "Buzzed into Madison". It was really cool to meet her. We know she will do an amazing job piecing everything together for Monday. One of the coolest things about this is that after it hires once, it will continue to air throughout the next several weeks until the donation drive is complete. Its kind a like we have our own mini commerical. Its really neat.
After it hires, it will have a link to view it online. I will add the link on Monday after it has hired. I hope you can tune it and watch it, it will be a great piece and I hope it make an impact on the donation drive.

Madison's CW is cable channel 57, if you charter, the channel number will be Channel 2. Thank you Emmy Fink for doing the interview, it means so much to us that you wanted to share our story. Thank you!

Thank you for the donation from Baraboo, WI.

Thank you very much for your donation to the NICU at Meriter. It means so much to me to have so many people donating in honor of our daughter, Alivia. She truly blessed our lives, and I am just so happy that she is making a difference in others. Thank you again very much for your kindness.

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Thank you Donna Metzger from Wisconsin Dells!

Thank you for your donation to Meriter. We really appreicate your donation and that you wanted to donate in honor of our daughter. Thank you again for your donation.

Thank you Dorothy Van Wie from Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Thank you so much for your genorous donation. The woman that made this donation holds a special place in my heart. She has been the only person I let always call me "Elizabeth". Dorothy was my grandma Agnes's best friend, (Alivia's Great Grandma, also where Alivia got her middle name). Having Dorothy around is like still having a piece of grandma here with us. It means so much to me to have Dorothy make a donation in honor of Alivia. Thank you so much for your donation. You are such a wonderful lady and so sweet. You have been nothing but amazing to me since I can remember. Thank you again very much.

Thank for the anonymous donation from Madison, WI.

Thank you for your donation of blankets and some adorable outfits. It is great appreicated. I know the NICU at Meriter will definitely be able to use these items. My husband and I are so happy that you wanted to donate in honor of our daughter, Alivia. Again, thank you so much for your kindness.

Thank you Colleen Fox from Wisconsin Dells, WI.

This donation is from Alivia's grandma, Colleen Fox. There is a wonderful story behind this donation. My mom decided to take a different way home than she normally does, found a sign for a garage sale and decided to check it out. While she was there she left lucky because she found a lot of premie clothing. While my mom was there she started talking and shared Alivia's story. While talking the lady shared that one of the little girls birthday was July 23, Alivia's birthday. I believe that my little girl was with her grandma that day. Alivia wanted her grandma to be there and feel her.


Thank you very much for the donation, Mom. I know how much it means to you that you could make such a generous donation. Thank you for always being there and being an amazing mom and grandma. Thank you very much for everything.

Thank you to Sandy Wrezenski from Reedsburg, WI.

Thank you Sandy for your donation to the NICU. Everything you gave is so wonderful and will really help the NICU. It means so much to Nate and I that you wanted to donate and make a difference in Alivia's name. Thank you again for sharing so much with us and always being such a amazing person and thinking of us. We really appreciate your kindness.

Thank you very much for your donation from Portage, WI.

Thank you for your donation it means so much to my husband and I to have so many people wanting to donate in honor of our daughter, Alivia. Thank you for all of the cute onesies you donated. These will be very helpful for the NICU.

Thank you for your donation from Sun Prairie, WI.

We really appreicate your anonymous donation, it will help the NICU. Thank you for donating in honor of our daughter, Alivia. It means so much to us. The things you donated are so wonderful. Thank you very much.

Thank you for the donation from Madison, WI.

Thank you for your donation to the NICU. The onesies you sent are very cute and will be very helpful to the NICU. We really appreciate your donation. Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you to Aunt Pat from Lake in the Hills, IL,

Thank you Aunt Pat for your generous donation in honor of Alivia. It means so much to us that you wanted to donate and try and make a difference. Everything you donated is so wonderful and will make such an impact at the NICU. Thank you again for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Thank you for the donation Mary, from South Dakota.

Thank you so much for your donation to the NICU in honor of Alivia. It means so much to my husband and I that you would want to donate all the way from South Dakota. Thank you so much for being so sweet and kind. We really appreciate everything we receive.

Thank for the anonymous donation from Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Thank you very much for you donation. It means so much to us that you wanted to donate in honor of our daughter, Alivia. Everything you donated will be extremely helpful for the NICU. Thank you again for your donation.

Thank you Donna from Dells Lumber Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Thank you for your donation to the NICU. The onesies you gave are so adorable. It means so much to us that you wanted to donate in honor of Alivia. Thank you very much for your donation.

Thank you Terry Gray from Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Thank you very much for your donation Terry Gray. The little shirt and onesie you gave is so sweet. And all of shampoo and baby lotion will be very helpful for the NICU. Thank you for you kindness and we really appreciate it.

Thank for the anonymous donation from Madison, WI.

Thank you so much for you donation. It means so much to us that you donated in our daughter's name. The onesies you sent are so cute and the blanket looks so warm. I know that the NICU will be so happy to receive onesies they can use in the winter time as well. Thank you again for donation.

Thank you Cathy and Steve Borck from Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Thank you Cathy and Steve Borck for the cute outfit for the NICU. It is so adorable and is very helpful to the donation drive. Thank you for thinking of Alivia and donating in her name.

Great News! You can drop off donations at Meriter Hospital's Guest Services!

Meriter Hospital has agreed to be a place where you can drop off donations for the NICU. Just drop off the items at the Guest Services Desk and the them this if for "Alivia's Angel Gift". The peoeple at the servise desk will know where it needs to go. I hope that having Meriter as a drop off center helps more people donate.

Thank you Meriter for everything and all of you support.

Thank you to those who have donated to the Meriter Foundation.

Thank you very much for donating in memory of Alivia. The money raised in her name will be used for the Bereavement Support Program through Meriter Foundation. The money will be used to help nurses and other staff continue their education with loss and help provide a memory box to each family experiencing a loss.

Thank you to:

Cheri Feely of Illinois
Brad and Jodi Davis of Wisconsin Dells, WI
Helen Kelas of Wisconsin Dells, WI

Thank you for your donation. It is greatly appreciated, and will be extremely helpful.

Thank you Carters Corp.

Thank you Carters Corporation for your donation of onesies and sleepers. These items will be very helpful to the NICU at Meriter. Today, I was so excited to come home to donation package, and its from Carters, the baby clothing line. We really appreicate you taking the time to donate to the donation Drive. There is a variety of sizes which is perfect. Everything looks so cuddly and cute. Thank you again so much for everything Carters sent.

What you can do to help this drive be successful

I just wanted to do an update on how you can become involved in the NICU donation drive for Meriter Hospital. Items can be mailed to me, Liz Quinn, directly, or they can be dropped off at the High Point Woods Apartment Complex Clubhouse. We are in the process of setting up a drop off point at Meriter Hospital, I will let you know when we have that settled.

Any montenary donations can be made directly throuugh the Meriter Foundation, to the right there is a link to their website, once at their website look for a bear in the right and corner of the webpage and it will say "Make an Alivia's Angel Gift", that is the place to go to donate money.

Meriter's NICU needs:

Preemie Onesies and Sleepers
Newborn Onesie and Sleepers
0-3 Onesie and Sleepers· Crib Sheets
Blankets
Mobiles

The items can be gently used or brand new

Ways you can become involved.....
1. You can mail donated items
2. You can donate money to go toward the Bereavement Program at Meriter.
3. You can place a flyer in your church, staff break room at your job, or local businesses in your areaIf you gather a large donation I would be happy to pay for shipping. I will make a flyer and send it to your email to print if you would like to help in that way.I will keep updated posts on items received. At the time of donation I will have several pictures to post on that special day. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. You can reach me at either aliviasangelgift@gmail.com or at duckygirl01@hotmail.com.

Thank you so much for your help and participation!!

Thank You NBC Channel 15, Madison WI for sharing our story!

Thank you so much NBC 15 for spreading the word about our donation drive. And I truly hopes it helps makes a difference.

On May 7, 2009 Nathan and I did an interview with channel 15 news anchor, Michelle Riell, at Meriter's NICU about our donation drive we are having in honor of Alivia. It had been our first time back to the NICU since we said good-bye to our angel, but I could not think of a better way to return than to share our daughter's story, and talk about what we are doing in her memory. The news story aired on May 7, 2009 on the 5 o'clock news. We think that the story was portraited beautifully, and accomplished all the important aspects of why we are doing this donation drive, and why we need everyones help to make it successful.

Thank you Michelle Riell for sharing our story and capturing the beauty of Alivia inside and out.

Here is the link to the news video:
http://www.nbc15.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3738760

Let's work together to be successful.

Thank you Sun Prairie City Wide Garage Sales!!

Today, I spent the morning at the Sun Prairie City Wide Garage sale and found some great stuff to donate to the donation drive. I just wanted to let everyone know that garage sales can be a great place to get items for the donation drive for a inexpensive price. The NICU will take items that are gently used. I found several handmade blankets, newborn onesies, hats, and socks today and spent only about 6 dollars for everything. It was awesome. I also had the chance to explain why I was buying the items, and spread the word about the donation drive.

I know that next weekend, May 8-10, is the Waunakee City Wide Garage Sales. It will be a great opportunity to get some items for the donation drive for a inexpensive price. I hope to see you there!!

Thank you Jayne and Jim Henke from Montgomery, Texas!

Thank you so much Jayne and Jim Henke for your donation to the NICU. We really appreicate that you took the time to donate and the items you gave will be extremely helpful for the NICU. We have only known you for a little over a year, but you have been so supportive and wonderful to us. We really appreicate everything you have done over the last year. Thank you again for your donation in Alivia's honor.

Thank you very much to Snugfits.com!!!

Thank you Snugfit.com for the adorable preemie t-shirts. The shirts are absolutely adorable. It means so much to us to have your support. I know that the NICU babies will look so cute in their new t-shirts. Thank you Sara with Snugfit.com for helping and donating the t-shirts. It means so much to my husband and I that Snugfit.com agreed to donate. Again, Thank you so very much for you donation.

How cute are these??

Thank you to Catherine Dummett!!

Thank you so much for sending the receieving blankets and the blanket with the adorable frog. My husband and I were so excited to get our first donation from someone we didn't know. Thank very much for your kindness, and supporting us in this donation drive. It was so nice to see on the deliverly slip " Donate in memory of Alivia Agnes Quinn". I know that the NICU will be so happy to have the extra blankets. Thank you again so much!