Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness
​​​​of Washington County, MD
2024 Events and Activities
All events and fundraisers listed below are hosted by Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness of WCMD.
Please check for updates from time to time as we will update each activity with additional details.
Mother's Day Card Campaign
This year we will be sending out personalized Mother's Day cards. Request a card for yourself or someone you know.
Request a Mother's Day Card
"On Mother's Day I can think of no mother more deserving
than a mother that had to give one back."
~ Erma Bombeck ~
Father's Day Card Campaign
This year we will be sending out personalized Father's Day cards. Request a card for yourself or someone you know.
Request a Father's Day Card
"A father's love cannot be measured solely by the footsteps that echo through his halls, but by those that will echo forever in his heart and walk unheard beside him everyday."
~ KP ~
Butterfly Release
& Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Join us for our 13th annual Butterfly Release
at
Remember Me Butterfly Haven
Saturday, July 13, 2023
at 10:00 am
We will have a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the expansion of Remember Me Butterfly Haven, followed by our Butterfly Release. This year we will also be creating mini succulent terrariums after the ceremony and release. During the ceremony, we will read each baby's name. Each family will take home a program and certificate, along with a handmade terrarium.
To include your baby's name during the ceremony, please registered by clicking on the picture to the left. Registration is free.
Remember Me Butterfly Haven
1307 Monarch Way
Hagerstown, MD21742
** Use 1307 The Terrace, Hagerstown, MD 21742 if using a GPS.
Butterfly Release
Shirts
Purchase shirts at the link below:
Link will be posted when available.
Each shirt will have a list of baby names on the back that we remember at the butterfly release. Everyone that registers for the event will automatically have their baby's name(s) listed on the back.
Color options will be sage and Heather maroon.
Virtual Walk
Entire Month of October
Our Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Virtual Walk is a month long event to spread awareness and start conversations about Pregnancy & Infant Loss. The virtual walk will take place during the entire month of
October, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month.
​
Link will be posted when available.
The image to the left is the image for our Virtual Walk shirts. You will be able to personalize your shirt with your baby's name on the back. Order by September 15 to guarantee you receive your order by October 1. You will have a second chance to order in October.
For more information, click on the image to the left or the link to the flyer below.
Wave of Light Luminaries
October 1 through October 15th
Stop by Remember Me Butterfly Haven any time
October 1 through October 15 to pick up a bag of luminaries to light at your home on October 15.
We will be lighting luminaries at Remember Me Butterfly Haven on October 15 to participate in the Wave of Light for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
Luminaries will be lit by 7 pm.
This event will be combined with A Walk to Remember this year.
See details below.
This is not an official event but more of a space to come to in honor of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
A Walk to Remember
Join us for our 15th annual Walk to Remember on
Saturday, October 12, 2023
7:00 pm
LOCATION:
Location to be determined. We will gather at Remember Me Butterfly Haven
1307 Monarch Way
Hagerstown, MD 21742
OR
Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church
10813 Donelson Drive
Williamsport, MD 2175
​
Registration is free, but required so we can include your baby’s name in the program and can prepare certificates.
To register, click on the picture to the left.
The evening will include a memorial service and candlelight walk (outside walk if weather permits, indoor if needed). Each baby’s name will be read during the service. Each family will be invited to light a candle in honor of their baby. Certificates will be given out for each registered participant.
T-shirts and sweatshirts will also be on sale. A list of baby names will be included on the back of each. A link will be posted prior to the event.
Click on the picture to the left to register.
A Walk to Remember
Shirts and Sweatshirts
On sale through October 15th
Link to be posted when available.
Each shirt will have a list of baby names on the back that we remember at A Walk to Remember. Everyone that registers for the event will automatically have their baby's name(s) listed on the back.
Orders can be shipped or picked up at BJ's Custom Creations in Hagerstown, MD.
Dia De Los Muertos
Day of the Dead
November 1 and 2, 2024
Each year, monarch butterflies migrate south. Thousands of monarchs migrate to Mexico. Their arrival in Mexico coincides with Dia del los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. Many believe that the souls of those who have died return on those days, and they are lovingly remembered by family and friends. Monarchs have come to represent the souls of loved ones returning to visit each year. This important tradition is celebrated on November 1 and 2. The souls of babies and children are celebrated on November 1 and adults on November 2.
It is not a sad tradition; it is a festive time to remember and honor lost loved ones. The tradition originated in Mexico but is also celebrated in parts of Latin America, as well as in the
United States.
As part of the celebration, families build altars in their homes for loved ones. The altars have many traditional elements. A few of the essential elements include candles, marigolds, a photo, sugar skulls, water, food and cut paper decorations.
To wrap up Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, I encourage you to create your own altar to celebrate your baby(s)
.
Candles will be set up on the altar at Remember Me Butterfly Haven on the evening of November 1 and November 2. We will light candles for all babies remembered at our events throughout the year. If you have registered for an event in 2023, your baby's name will be included in this event. All are welcome to come by to visit. We will also post photos on our FaceBook Page.
A Season to Remember
Date to be determined
We will light candles at Remember Me Butterfly Haven for all babies remembered throughout the year. If you registered for an event, your baby's name will be included in this event. If you did not register for an event but would still like to include your baby's name, please complete the form to the left.
Pregnancy After Loss Awareness Event
2024 Event TBA!
We hope to be able to able to host an annual event in March 2024 in honor of
Pregnancy After Loss Awareness Month.
For support throughout the year, you can join our
Rainbow of Hope: Pregnancy After Loss Support Group, go to www.Facebook.com/groups/RainbowofHopePAL.
We are also happy to email you information about the support group and PAL resources.
You can also find the information at
Rainbow of Hope: Pregnancy After Loss Support Group
and
Pregnancy After Loss Resources.
If you have any questions, please contact us at
How You Can Help
If you are unable to attend a fundraiser or events, please consider donating. Your donation will help spread awareness and provide support services and memorial items, as well as funds for our events that benefit those coping with pregnancy and infant loss. Donations can be made to:
Checks can be mailed to:
PAILA of WCMD
1307 The Terrace
Hagerstown, MD 21742
You can also send donations via Venmo.
Search for Brianne Bearese of PAILA of WCMD.
We are grateful for all donations, no matter the size.