"There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world."
"I wanted to extend my gratitude once again, for all of Halo's help & guidance throughout this difficult & unfamiliar territory. I'm sure it weighs heavy on your hearts as well, if not personally relates to you as well. My partner, Quentin & I got the opportunity to pick up our daughter Kynnzleigh's, enlarged FRAMED photo (had no idea that it was also going to be framed already) & her memorial cards that Halos personally made, free of charge for us. Upon arriving there, Kelli greeted us with such compassion & much needed warmth. She was such a kind & comforting person to be able to meet us & share in our grief. And let me just say, the enlarged photo & memorial cards both FAR EXCEEDED our requests & expectations (not that we had any grand expectations, because let's be honest, him & I couldn't have dreamed of "wanting" to do any of this surrounding our daughter) Yet we know in our hearts, that no one could give us what we wanted MOST, our beautiful baby girl :-'(
And, somehow, Halos has been a guide; a small ounce of shimmer shining through our dark & cloudy filled days. From the bottom of our hearts, we're very thankful. And I really do appreciate how much you've helped; I think your [organization] has blossomed into something magical, for those finding themselves at the bottom of the barrel, lost at what to do next."
-Megan Smith, 2023
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"I just want to say I can’t express it enough how grateful I am for everything you have done to help us through this time. You’ve made everything easy for us and even though it’s still hard to believe all this is real your organization has been a small light in a tunnel so with all my heart I thank you!"
-Cassandra Stokes, 2023
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"Halos is an organization that you never wish anyone has to utilize due to unforeseen circumstances, but you are eternally grateful for them when you are faced with tragedy. Emily and I never imagined we would need these services- but both of us can say, the compassion and care they have given to us and our family has truly helped us in our ongoing grieving process."
-Tyler, Emily, Dolly, and our Angel Emmett, 2023
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I would like to take the opportunity to share what a wonderful resource H.E.L.P. has been for our organization.
When I first started at Western WI Health, multiple providers shared how they wished they had something to provide patients diagnosed with miscarriage. It felt terrible to send patients home with no resources, minimal information on what to expect at home, and what to expect moving forward in the grief process. We wanted patients to know that their pregnancy is still important even though early.
Staff were familiar with the boxes and resources available for stillbirth, and envisioned something similar to provide patients experiencing miscarriage.
When I reached out to Halos they were so accommodating! They created small bags with printed materials, keepsakes, and kits for collection if the patient would be delivering at home. These kits are now available and used in the Emergency Room, Surgery Department, and Clinic, all areas that may have a patient diagnosed with miscarriage. These bags are donated by Halos.
This is a population that is often not recognized. Almost 1 in 5 women will experience early pregnancy loss, and yet very few talk about their experience. This can feel incredibly lonely, and the resources we are able to provide from Halos help to validate our patients’ feelings of loss.
-Erica Hanson RNC-OB, IBCLC Perinatal and Lactation Care Coordinator WWH, 2023
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"We were so touched by the amount of help and support from so many people and the service was beautiful. We are so grateful to have been able to do it for Ada. Kayla [Memorial Service Photographer] was amazing and such a warm friendly presence. Please pass along a thank you to her. And pass along a thank you to our photographer from the birth, too. I can’t remember her name with everything going on at the time, but she made the experience of having something so personal photographed feel very natural and exactly what it needed to be. We are tremendously blessed. And we are so thankful to you [Jamie] and Halos for coordinating everything and designing those beautiful memory cards. Please let me know about future ways we can give back and pass along the goodness we have received."
-Gina Brott, 2022
"The work Halos does is so meaningful. The most precious worldly possession that I have are these photos. At the time, I didn’t care about pictures. But I am so so glad they sent a photographer. She went above and beyond. She stayed with us all day. She came on a whim & sat graciously in the corner taking photos during the worst time of our lives. I don’t remember her name but she took such beautiful pictures. I could never thank her enough for the memories she has provided us with through pictures. This is one of MANY things halos has done for us.
They helped us navigate every parents worse nightmare. They guided the way and helped us to do things we never would have thought to do. I mean, truly, they have made such a positive and meaningful contribution to our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
-Breanna Seibel, 2022
"Our whole world was turned upside down with the unexpected loss of our daughter, Aspen. Halos was there for us during the most tragic/hardest time of our lives . We didn’t even know where to begin to process the loss or the steps we would need to take. Halos was there to help every step of the way. They offered many services that we didn’t even expect or could’ve thought of during that time. Looking back, we would have regrets on missed opportunities if Halos hadn’t stepped in to be our guiding light. Halos continues to celebrate Aspen's Angelversary which is another form of comfort for our family. Fast forward two years later; they allowed us to rent an Owlet to provide us reassurance with our rainbow baby! The support, comfort, and heartfelt condolences is something that will never be forgotten."
- Leighann Lehman, 2022
"Halos was there for the family of my dear family friends when they experienced the sudden death of their precious little #HazelMae recently. Halos helped create such a precious, touching memorial service honoring the life of Hazel. Their genuine compassionate care and experience took such a tremendous burden off of this grieving families shoulders, which allowed them to grieve without having to press "pause" to attend to the details of planning a beautifully appropriate memorial for Hazel. Thank you, Halos of St. Croix - you definitely have angel wings!"
- Mary Stoehr
"Our family had no direction when we lost my niece; we had no idea how to help my brother and sister-in-law and no clue about where to begin with arrangements. Kelli and Halos stepped in to help with everything from funeral arrangements to guiding my brother and sister-in-law onto a path of healing. We are blessed to have been put in touch with Halos and are committed to supporting the organization in my niece's memory for years to come."
-Jackie Pflugi Smitley
"This group was amazing! When my sister experienced a neonatal death of her child they stepped up and helped in whatever way they could. They gave direction and support and prayer, what more could you ask? I love seeing your location on Main Street in New Richmond! Keep up the great work! What a wonderful gift our community has! Thanks for all you do."
-Molly Perry
"I absolutely love these people and this place. They seriously are amazing caring and loving people. They help you with so much and they take so much stress off you to make someone's service and other things perfect for their loved ones. My husband and I just lost our 5 month old baby boy and they were there every single step of our way to make our boys day the most memorable amazing service we ever imagined for our boy. I couldn't and still can't thank them enough. They have helped, cared, supported and been the most amazing people out there to help us through this tough time. I'm proud to say they did all this for us because they truly did amazing. And I'm happy to have met with them and worked with them during this time. We wanted our boy to have everything he deserved and they made sure he got it all."
-Kristen Ann Pannanen
"Halos helped me and my family tremendously when we were in our worst spot in our life. Its hard and they are amazing people to help you with such heart breaking events!!!"
-Angie Bohn
"They had done so much to help me and my wife through the hardest times of Our Lives. Thank you so much. The service was absolutely beautiful and just the way Grayson would have wanted it. We miss you and love you Grayson - 04/26/16-10/17."
-Corey Paananen Sr.
"It is just amazing what you offer to families that have lost a child, doesn't matter of the age, etc. It is still a loss. I wish we new there was something like this when my stepdaughter passed away. Keep up what you are doing."
-Kim Ellefson
"On May 5, 2013 I was feeling uneasy, I hadn't felt our daughter move all day. We went to the hospital to make sure that everything was alright. When we got there, they hooked me up to the fetal monitor. They couldn't find her heartbeat anymore. We had an ultrasound and our worst fear was true, our little girl had passed. I spent the next two days in the hospital and gave birth to our beautiful angel on May 7, 2013. While in the hospital, one of our nurses brought us in a basket from halos. It meant a lot to me, we hadn't gotten Emory a blanket yet and there was a beautiful pink blanket in the basket and there was also a book, "We were gonna have a baby but had an angel instead", which I plan on reading to my son. Halos also helped me plan our daughters service and helped us with the cost. I don't think I could have done this without Halos. Halos is wonderful and I am glad I get to be part of the Halos family. Kelli and everyone are wonderful."
-Amanda Larson
"My experience with Halos began when I suffered the loss of my beautiful baby girl Vineicia at 24 weeks on September 25th, 2011. I gave birth to her at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, MN. It was there that I was given a beautiful basket full of items for my little girl. It had blankets, a candle, a pacifier, a cap, gown, and booties, a mold for her hand and foot prints, the book Heaven Is For Real as well as other items. It was such a comfort to have those things for my little girl. During a time of such deep sadness I felt such compassion that someone took the time to put these things together for parents grieving the loss of a child. It wasn't until the next August that I was united with Halos at the 5k walk in remembrance of our little angels. I really felt this immediate bond with other families that had been through what I was going through. I've kept in contact with Halos since that day and through them I learned that I could actually get a certificate of birth by stillborn which was so deeply important to me! Halos also was there for me again to help me pay off the rest of Vineicia's funeral expenses. I'm so thankful for everything they have provided me during this terrible time of my life. I feel so blessed to have their support! I can only hope to pay it forward and be a part of this amazing support group!"
-Jamie Casey