Wonderful news!

On March 19th IRIS began moving into our new home! The IRIS office is now located at 112 Third St. NE in Faribault MN! We are 2 1/2 blocks east of our previous site, and located between the Post Office and the Depot Bar and Grill!

Countless volunteers, Sue Reuvers (our new administrative assistant), board members, and I have spent many hours moving our belongings into our new home and inspecting each item for damage. As you can imagine this has been no small task. The water and moving without proper packing has done significant damage. The quilts, computers, and most keepsakes have survived without much harm. Paper items have been the hardest hit; they have picked up a sour smell that forces us to discard them.

As we continue to unpack we ask again for your patience, understanding, and prayers. We understand your fears, concerns, and emotions regarding our move, but would like to remind you that visiting is the best way to see for yourself that IRIS is bigger and better because of the flood. Consider stopping in for a visit! We would love to have you!

- Diana Sundwall and the IRIS Board of Directors

A word from the organizer...

Almost 6 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. Now 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 3rd Annual IRIS Turkey Trot will take place on November 24th, 2011. 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.

Please consider joining us on Thanksgiving morning.

LETS TROT TOGETHER to ensure that the important services IRIS provides are continued
LETS TROT TOGETHER to raise awareness
LETS TROT TOGETHER to support one another
LETS TROT TOGETHER to remember our precious babies
LETS TROT TOGETHER to give thanks for the imprint such tiny lives have on our hearts
LETS TROT TOGETHER as friends
LETS TROT 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.