Annabella's Angels donates CuddleCot to Griffin Hospital in Derby

Contributed photo

Jessica and Matthew Ocasio of Annabella’s Angels present a donation of a CuddleCot at the Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital. Pictured from left are Griffin Spiritual Care Chaplin Eric Gramse, Melanie O’Leary, Griffin Development Fund Systems Coordinator, Naomi Gurdak, OB tech, Marge Fischer, RNC, MSN, Childbirth Center Clinical Director, Jessica and Matthew Ocasio, Kristen Richards, RN, and Gen Mayhew, RN.

DERBY - The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital will be able to give parents who have a stillbirth or later term miscarriage extra time with their child thanks to a CuddleCot donation.

Annabella's Angels, a nonprofit that raises funds to donate CuddleCots throughout the state, presented the Childbirth Center staff with the $3,000 device and a specially-designed bassinette April 24.

The CuddleCot keeps the body of the departed child cool so parents can have time to be with their child, have family visit, take pictures, take hand molds and receive religious blessings.

“Infant death is a harsh reality we cannot prevent and we cannot always foresee,” said Annabella’s Angels President and Founder Jessica Ocasio. “When parents are forced to say goodbye so shortly after hello, every minute matters.”

Jessica Ocasio and her husband Matthew formed the nonprofit in memory of their daughter, Annabella Grace, who was delivered stillborn at 18 weeks. 

Annabella's Angels has placed CuddleCots in St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury Hospital, Bristol Hospital, Hartford Hospital, and Bridgeport Hospital.

“We are very thankful to Jessica, Matthew, and everyone at Annabella’s Angels for this donation,” said Childbirth Center Clinical Director Marge Fischer, RNC, MSN, NEA-BC, C-EFM.
“The CuddleCot gives parents the precious gift of time with their child and can be a wonderful help in healing spiritually.”

For more information, visit annabellasangels.com.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Salvation Army in Ansonia wins plaudits at BHcare luncheon

ANSONIA - BHcare presented Major Wilder Garcia of the Salvation Army Greater Valley Corps with an Employer of the Year Award at its 24th annual employment salute Thursday in Holy Rosary Church hall. 
Since my husband Ralph and I are members of the Salvation Army's Advisory Board I wanted to post this before we publish coverage of the event in an upcoming issue of The Valley Voice newsletter. 

We congratulate Major Wilder Garcia and his wife, Major Dora Garcia, on this well-deserved recognition!

Valley United Way to kick off neighborhood gardens

SHELTON - The Valley United Way has announced kickoff dates for its successful “Grow Your Own” neighborhood garden program, taking place throughout May at various locations in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

The program began in 2015 and assists local residents with growing fresh fruits and vegetables in their own neighborhoods while learning to garden and helping to create unity and self-reliance within the community. 
Low-income area neighbors maintain and harvest produce from their gardens at no cost to the community. 
Participants also receive education on healthy eating habits and making better choices.

Kickoff dates and locations are:

· Friday - Seymour Community Center, 3:30     p.m.
· May 8 - Ansonia, YMCA, 3:30 p.m.
· May 11 - Derby, 5th and Olivia, 3:30 p.m.
· May 12 - Ansonia, Gatison Park, 10 a.m.
· May 18 - Derby, Library, 3:30 p.m.

• May 19 - Ansonia, Beaver Brook, 10 a.m.
• May 20 - Oxford, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Time TBD
• May 24 - Derby, Griffin Hospital, Time TBD
• May 25 - Ansonia, Pine Lot, 3:30 p.m.

To volunteer or become a Grow Your Own partner or sponsor, visit valleyunitedway.org or call 203-926-9478.


Valley United Way is a leading philanthropic organization serving the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. Their mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration.

Recuperation journey: Searching for seeds

Morning in the backyard seen through the window.

Valley lawmaker asks constituents to sign petition opposing tolls

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you for writing and calling to express your opposition to tolls.

Your voices and advocacy have led to House Democrats reconsidering their position on tolls. The Speaker of the House announced [Wednesday] that he might not bring a tolls bill forward for a vote.

It appears we have won today, but we are not in the clear yet. We still have a week to go until the end of session and we need to continue to keep the pressure on.

I am circulating a petition to stop tolls, and I ask that you please take a moment to sign it! Please join me in sending a message to the majority party that we don't want tolls.

Sign my petition now!

Recuperation journey: Almost 5 and almost 3

My Throwback Thursday.