In 2008, one tiny baby girl entered her parents’ lives—and although she left soon after, she made an impact on the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands, of people. Her birth (and death due to prematurity) opened our eyes to the importance of remembrance. But how to begin…?
Ah, where is there a place, quiet and beautiful enough, worthy of parents’ tears—and peaceful enough to honor and help heal grief? The question and resulting answer are apparent in every aspect of the Garden of the Sleeping Angels. Now sixteen years in existence, we have soothed the pain of countless families through our loving community of support.
Since 2012, GSA has memorialized almost 300 babies and children in our sixteen peaceful gardens. These gardens grew into being through the years from one single garden. It is still hard to fully grasp the growth that has occurred in our gardens and organization over time, mirroring the ever-widening collective of families we serve. As we prepare to welcome 2025, let us reflect fondly on the past year of ministry and events.
2024 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS
Live 4 Love Charities Grant
GSA was selected out of 150 organizations nationally to receive one of 10 grants offered by Live 4 Love Charities. This philanthropic organization was founded by Prince Rogers Nelson and Mayte Garcia to drive better outcomes for humanity. Their only child, Amiir Nelson, was born in 1996 and passed away at just six days old. We are incredibly humbled to have memorialized baby Amiir in our gardens this past year.
New Engraved Memorials
This spring, GSA began offering families engraved metal memorials. These personalized angel wings are masterfully crafted by local metalworker, Jason Myhre, with Transcendent Ironworks. We appreciate Jason using his passion for GSA’s mission to bring Nancy’s design wish to life. Families may order or donate an engraved memorial by visiting our website.
Annual Plant Sale
As a reprise of last year’s successful fundraiser, we partnered again with Gertens in 2024 for our spring plant sale. Many also loved bringing home beautiful plants and flowers arranged from our own gardens.
KSPT-TV Minnesota Live Interview
On April 15, our own Nancy Sawyer was interviewed on KSTP-TV’s Minnesota Live. She shared GSA’s inspirational story and impact with local news anchors. Check out the post on our website for more about this interview and a link to the recording. We’re honored to be a local source of Minnesota pride and care!
Community Weed-a-thon
This September, many hands made light work during our Weed-a-thon event. Children and adults bonded and worked side by side to keep the gardens beautiful for family visits. Thanks to all who joined.
October Wave of Light
The cold didn’t stop families and community members from gathering for this year’s Wave of Light ceremony—mirroring the worldwide event for pregnancy and infant loss recognition. We lit candles and shared the names of over 280 babies memorialized in the beautiful GSA gardens. Check our Facebook page for recordings of these recitations. Seeing everything alight for our little ones is truly breathtaking…
Give to the Max Day 2024
GSA is so grateful to those who contributed to this year’s Give to the Max Day! Your donations during this fundraiser, and beyond, help us with crucial garden upkeep and organizational expenses.
Tours and Heavenly Birthday Celebrations
Throughout the year, Nancy and board members hosted garden tours of various sizes. We have also had the privilege of hosting numerous families as they celebrate their little ones’ heavenly birthdays—some with up to 20 people. Our community treasures the opportunity to bear witness to these meaningful gatherings.
Garden of the Sleeping Angels would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you!” to all the wonderful volunteers, donors, and families who remain involved in our mission. None of these impactful services would be possible without each one of you. Your support has been paramount to continuing this heartfelt community of remembrance.
2025 ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS AND VISION
- Additional garden upkeep volunteers with a heart for serving families experiencing infant and child loss
- Connections to passionate gardeners or organizations for hire for regular maintenance and operations
- Families wanting to add their angels to the garden or share their story with our organization
In the last year, so many beautiful things have taken place at our nonprofit organization. This beauty lives not just in spite of the grief, but alongside it. Just like the sun shines through the clouds and spring flowers grow through the winter earth, pain accentuates beauty. There is something about the depth of loss that makes remembrance so poignant. Our community understands that grief—like a garden—does not heal when left un-tended. The babies and children we have lost must be remembered and honored, their stories repeated. We must “Say their names,” time and time again. Our dear families… your children matter, and they are loved!
Our community looks forward to the upcoming year of support and fellowship in 2025. At Garden of the Sleeping Angels, we consider ourselves blessed to bear witness to your stories, and to the lives of your sweet little ones. May your families bring in the new year with healing, hope, and connection—until we meet at the gardens!
With blessings and gratitude,
Nancy and Tom Sawyer, and the entire GSA Leadership Team
3405 County Road 6, Orono, MN 55356
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