Infants Remembered in Silence (IRIS) in Flbt., MN, runs an annual Turkey Trot every year on Thanksgiving. This year, two of our Child Development students (Jennifer and Miranda) joined the trot. What a great way to show your support and volunteer your time! Way to go!
“The IRIS Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving was such a rewarding experience for me and I am so glad that I participated in it. The 20.00 was well worth it! I got to meet the family and hear the story on how the Turkey Trot got started. The family told their story to all of us who wanted to know and they have a lot of strength and courage to be able to tell that story. They lost two little babies, Hope and Gus to SIDS, but now have two beautiful children, Josie and Rowan. The family handed out angel ornaments with the quote “Don’t cry because its over, smile because it happened..” By Dr. Suess. There were close to 1200 supporters, walkers, runners and children at the event. I walked the 3.2 miles and although it started off very cold, I finished strong and it didn’t feel so cold anymore. I enjoyed this experience very much and encourage everyone to do it next year. It is very rewarding and I feel that the support is what a lot of those families who have lost someone need.” -Jennifer
A word from the organizer…
Almost 5 years ago now, I had no idea that IRIS existed. And then the horrible day came when I became an IRIS mom and needed IRIS. Fortunately for me, and for many other families in the area, IRIS exists. An IRIS advocate came to my side and held my hand, offered guidance, and became my safe haven as I learned to live with the new reality that my child had died. My husband and I both do not know how we would have survived those darkest days without IRIS – and today it is our turn to try to give back to an organization that means the world to us and to many others.
Sadly, many, many people either experience the loss of a child, or know someone who has lost a child. I reached out to other IRIS moms and IRIS supporters to see if there would be interest in helping organize a fundraiser for IRIS – to give back while remembering our babies. The TURKEY TROT idea was formed, and with the support of many generous, creative, and energetic people – the 1st Annual Turkey Trot took place on Thanksgiving morning 2009. The attendance & support for the event was overwhelming–in a good way! We had many people asking us to make this an annual event–and so we are! Due to the amazing success, the 2nd Annual IRIS Turkey Trot will take place on November 25th, 2010. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of IRIS and the invaluable services that IRIS provides, raise money to ensure that IRIS will be around to continue to help families after a loss, and to remember our babies.
LETS WALK TOGETHER to ensure that the important services IRIS provides are continued
LETS WALK TOGETHER to raise awareness
LETS WALK TOGETHER to support one another
LETS WALK TOGETHER to remember our precious babies
LETS WALK TOGETHER to give thanks for the imprint such tiny lives have on our hearts
LETS WALK TOGETHER as friends
LETS WALK TOGETHER for hope
Thank you,
Deanna Kuennen
Turkey Trot Organizer and IRIS Mom
Walking in honor of my precious angels – Hope (born on 12/27/2005 at 22 weeks gestation) and Augustus Michael (stillborn on 11/24/2006), and for all of the other baby angels.
