Cliff Lawson

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

August 2009.

Our August Volunteer of the Month is a Denver Area Coordinator for Parker Adventist (Children's), Sky Ridge and also a NILMDTS Certified Trainer. Cliff is a true asset to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. He is one of the area leaders in sessions taken (and logged!) and  is truly committed to developing new Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep volunteer photographers to become active in the organization. Cliff, a retired United Airlines pilot and United trainer, has put his teaching skills to good use for NILMDTS. His engaging manner and warmth put even the most nervous new photographers at ease. The images that he creates for bereaved families are both beautiful and powerful and we are lucky to call him a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photographer. Parent Coordinator, Kathy Schneider says, "Cliff is wonderful and will always try to rearrange his schedule if no one steps up to take a session. I love that he is someone I can count on."  His leadership is helping many families who might not have otherwise been able to capture precious memories with their infants.

Thank you for being an outstanding Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep volunteer, Cliff!

Congratulations! You are clearly due this honor!

Julie Williams

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

July 2009.

Our July Volunteer of the Month is the Area Coordinator for Salt Lake City and also a NILMDTS Certified Trainer. Julie is tireless in her dedication to the organization and is determined that no family in her area go unserved. She manages to juggle family, friends and service and still remain one of the happiest people you could have the pleasure of talking to!

Jami Stensrud, Affiliated Photographer says, "I feel so blessed to know Julie, both as a friend and as an Area Coordinator for NILMDTS, and I know that so many others share my love for her. Julie is so dedicated to this wonderful cause, and her compassion and talents make her invaluable to the other volunteers and especially to the families she serves. The images that she creates for the families are breathtaking, and she sincerely has a desire to soothe and heal their wounded hearts. I had the opportunity to shadow Julie when I was first starting with NILMDTS, and after talking with her and watching her for only a few minutes, it was obvious how much she loves this organization and what a great asset she is to it."

"Julie is one of our earthly angels. Her selfless service has given us a gift we will treasure for the rest of our lives! She really cares. She gives her time and talents with no thought to herself. I'm honored to know her", says Amy Whitney, a NILMDTS volunteer and a mother for whom Julie took priceless photos.

Thank you for being an outstanding Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep volunteer, Julie!

Congratulations! You are clearly due this honor!

Angela Spieker

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

June 2009.

Our June Volunteer of the Month is an Area Coordinator in Joplin, Missouri. Angela was nominated by the hospital staff member, Karleen Martin, at Freeman Health. Karleen wrote, "...her name means "Angel" and she lives up to her name. It doesn't matter what the situation, the condition or the gestation of the infant, she is able to make a very sad time beautiful. She handles families in crisis with such an enormous amount of grace while producing lovely keepsakes for them. She freely gives her time and talent to make a difference, expecting nothing in return."

Freeman Health System 1102 W 32nd Joplin, MO 64804

04/07/09

To Whom It May Concern:

Angela, her name means "Angel" and she lives up to her name. It doesn't matter what the situation, the condition or the gestation of the infant, she is able to make a very sad time beautiful. She handles families in crisis with such an enormous amount of grace while producing lovely keepsakes for them. She freely gives her time and talent to make a difference, expecting nothing in return. She is a very gifted and a special person! Angela is an enormous blessing to our community.

In addition to coming when there is a perinatal death, Angela Spieker is here every week providing a service to our NICU babies and parents that might otherwise not exist. She is here talking photos of babies and their parents, when their little lives are hanging in the balance. She gives them a CD full of pictures so they have a memory of their baby even if they don’t survive. She does this all for nothing more than a simple thank you. These family photos are very precious and she does everything she can to take great pictures that may give comfort for years to come. Really, these are more than just pictures, they are artfully done keepsakes.

We are so blessed to have such an amazing photographer teaming up with us to serve our families. No one else in the area will volunteer to help but she is willing to go not only to Freeman but to other area hospitals even driving quite a distance to assist. Angela responses day or night, weekday or weekend, whatever and whenever her services are needed. Wherever she goes, her personality brings out the best in everyone. She pulls the nurses and families together as a team to meet the needs of grieving parents.

Angela Spieker deserves to be recognized for her contribution and service to others. These thoughts and feelings were volunteered by our staff about Angela for us to pass on to you.

From: The Maternal/Child Department

Sincerely, Karleen Martin, Bereavement Coordinator  

Thank you for being an outstanding Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep volunteer, Angela!

Congratulations! You are clearly due this honor!

Debbie Malone

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

May 2009.

Our May Volunteer of the Month is in the Oklahoma City network. Debbie was nominated by Area Coordinator Christy Goodger, who says, "Debbie is an awesome volunteer and has been a huge asset to Carrie and I during the time of my broken arm and Carrie dealing with her cancer treatments. She answers every text we send, whether she can take the call or not. She has taken a majority of the calls since she has joined. There have been some calls that I won't let her take because I'm afraid of burn-out. I tell her we will wait a few hours until I can text the other volunteers enough times to get someone else to go. She has logged her sessions too!! She may have set a record in volunteer status!" Thank you for being an outstanding Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep volunteer, Debbie!

Congratulations, Debbie! You are clearly due this honor!

Office Volunteers

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteers of the Month

April 2009.

For our April 2009 Volunteer of the Month, we're doing something a little different. Every week we have 5 wonderful volunteers who come in and help us out in the headquarters office. For the last several months they have been tirelessly scanning and emailing VSAs,  creating new file folders for all of our 7,000 volunteer photographers and filing, filing, filing. They've each committed to a weekly schedule and just about every day we see one or two of their smiling faces. It has been a life-saver to have so many willing helpers! Please "meet" (from left to right) Bernice Gruber, Kathy Wheeler, Victoria Peters-Henderson and Veronica Erickson (not pictured).

These wonderful volunteers have lightened the load in the headquarters office.  They show up with a smile and a ready to work attitude each and every week!  

Congratulations, Bernice, Kathy, Victoria and Veronica! You are clearly due this honor!

Jennifer Brown

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

March 2009.

Our March 2009 Volunteer of the Month, Jennifer Brown, is the kind of volunteer an organization dreams of. In addition to acting as Area Coordinator for the Northern Idaho/Spokane Washington region, she is also a Certified Trainer, helps Kirk Kief manage the busy Digital Retouch Artist "Call on Me" room in our photographer's forum. Jennifer not only agreed to take over the job of Digital Retouch Artist, she also developed a plan to make the whole system run more smoothly. Serving as a NILMDTS volunteer in an area where there aren't as many calls as in some of our busier, metro areas didn't diminish Jen's desire to help at all. Instead, she asks, "What can I do?".

There was a time recently that Jennifer had to have an emergency appendectomy. During her recuperation, she continued helping others by retouching files.

Forum Administrator Kirk Kief sums it up when he says, ""We have close to 7000 amazing Photographer volunteers, if we had 7000 Jennifer's then we could do the work of 14000!", and "NILMDTS Membership - $25.01 Monetary value of our gift to Families- $1000+, Jennifer Brown- Priceless."

Tasha Nicholls (VOM May '08) adds, "Jen has put countless hours into helping NILMDTS in myriads of ways. In addition to coordinating the retouching artists, she always makes herself available to assist other photographers with retouching questions and adds valuable insight and advice in the forum. She helps out whenever and however she can and has a true heart of gold."  

Congratulations, Jennifer! You are clearly due this honor!

Julia MacInnis

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

February 2009

With approximately 500 Area Coordinators now serving as leaders in the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep program, we are fortunate to call our February 2009 Volunteer of the Month, Julia MacInnis, a shining star. Julia has worked hard to build a team and succeed at handing the ever-increasing requests for services that come into heavily populated areas. Julia serves as a Co-Area Coordinator with Marirosa Anderson for the greater Washington, DC area. "From the first session we did together at 2am I was touched by her simplicity and style," said Marirosa. "Julia's commitment to NILMDTS is evident in everything she does. Julia's focus on building this community continues to inspire all the photographers in our area and I am personally grateful everyday for having her be here as a coordinator." Given the recent profile featuring Julia and her team in the Washington Post, volunteers in the area know that with increased awareness of our organization comes an increase in requests. Our staff and leadership team at headquarters would like to thank Julia and the team in DC for their amazing dedication to this organization. 

Congratulations, Julia! You are clearly due this honor!

Linda Ford

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

January 2008

Multiple people wrote to NILMDTS nominating Linda Ford for volunteer of the month (VOM), and the honor is overdue! In her tenure with NILMDTS, Linda has provided more than 1,500 remembrance images for families. From her hometown of North Olmsted, Ohio, Linda serves as an Area Coordinator for the Cleveland metropolitan area.

"Just a week ago, Linda photographed four different babies over seven days," wrote fellow Area Coordinator, Patrick Rice. "This is not the first time she has been this busy and it certainly won't be the last time," he stated. Linda recently paid her own way to Colorado to become a NILMDTS Certified Trainer, and she will be performing training seminars in the future. Our staff and leadership team at headquarters would like to thank Linda for her amazing dedication to this organization.

Congratulations, Linda, you are clearly due this honor!

Carrie LaFollette

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

December 2008

At NILMDTS headquarters, we are often familiar with the names that are submitted for volunteer of the month (VOM). That was definitely the case with this month's honoree as our leadership team selected Carrie LaFollette as VOM. As though her plate is not full enough at home in the Oklahoma City area as a professional photographer and a NILMDTS Area Coordinator, Carrie regularly offers to help with organization wide duties, including the recent task of organizing all of the music donated to NILMDTS and making it available for photographers to use for this work.

Today, Carrie could use a return favor, and we are sending her as much good energy as we can following her recent diagnosis of colon cancer. Carrie is putting her professional and volunteer work on a temporary hold as she focuses on her health. She is scheduled to undergo surgery this week. As Carrie is a strong person and always thinking positively, we expect her strength to help her through this battle. We have benefited first hand at headquarters from Carrie's willingness to work hard and pitch in when others need help.

In light of Carrie's recent diagnosis, she has notified us she only plans to take off the amount of time absolutely necessary before she returns to help her Co-Area Coordinator, Christy Goodger, and their team in the OKC region. Congratulations, Carrie, you are clearly due this honor!

Jose Velez

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

November 2008

Jose is one of our Affiliated Photographer Volunteers in Brandon, Florida. He was nominated by his Area Coordinator, Kaye Newsome. Kaye says, "As Area Coordinator, I couldn't ask for a better 'go to guy'. Jose has never turned me down for a session. In fact, when my number comes up on his cell phone, he answers with, "Hey there, where do you need me to go and when?". He is awesome. I always try to send my newbie photographers out with him for the first time because I want them all to be like him! He is the ultimate professional. Always sensitive to the needs and challenges of our angel's families. Jose is always on the lookout for opportunities to promote awareness of NILMDTS and I consider him the perfect 'poster photographer' for our organization."

And Kaye isn't Jose's only fan! Co-Founder Cheryl Haggard has this to say, "I met Jose for the first time this past year at PPA in Tampa.  I was instantly drawn to him and how he spoke of working with his NILMDTS babies and families. Jose has an incredible, giving heart and goes so far beyond my expectations with his service to NILMDTS. Photographers like Jose are the heart of the NILMDTS organization".  One of his photographer colleagues, Patrick Burley, says, "His smile brightens a room - the NILMDTS families are blessed o have a man with Jose's compassion."

His colleagues in the Tampa Bay area of Florida refer to Jose Velez as the "Poster Photographer" for our organization. Even at the headquarters office, we benefit regularly from our November Volunteer of the Month's outgoing persona and regular offers to help out in a variety of ways. Just a few days ago, Jose graciously stepped forward with another group of volunteers to represent our organization at the annual Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Awareness (PLIDA) conference. Regularly, Jose also helps out the organization by translating our English documents and web site pages into Spanish. In a recent survey Jose completed for his Area Coordinator, this is how Jose explained the impact that volunteering for NILMDTS has had on his life: "I've grown as a person and as a photographer by being able to perform under such difficult conditions and by sharing in a family's moment of greatest pain and sorrow." Congratulations, Jose, you are clearly due this honor!

At our Board of Directors meeting one week ago, we collectively decided that in this space, where we normally honor a NILMDTS Volunteer of the Month, that we will institute a new tradition. October is designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and in recognition of this, we will honor the thousands of angel babies captured in images by our affiliated photographers.

We have a number of resources for families, hospitals and anyone interested in creating and preserving those special memories in a new Forum page designed by Co-Founder Cheryl Haggard - CLICK HERE.

Thank you to the many parents who - when faced with this devastating news - have requested an NILMDTS photographer to provide everlasting portraiture to remember and memorialize their babies. Thank you to the hospitals who have so graciously embraced our program, welcomed our Affiliate Photographers, and worked with us as the program has evolved. And, Thank You so greatly to the thousands of photographers in 25+ countries who make this gift and this legacy possible.

Kevin and Kaye Newsome and Jo Burkhardt of Tampa, Florida

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteers of the Month

Yes, volunteers, plural! As nominations come in to the NILMDTS headquarters, this one by far is the most unique group our leadership team has considered. And yet, the "team" is a shining example of the many of you around the world working together to provide families with this everlasting gift of portraiture. We are proud to announce that the team of Kevin and Kaye Newsome and Jo Burkhardt makes up our "NILMDTS Volunteer Team of the Month" for September, 2008. 

The husband and wife team receive accolades for their compassionate bedside manner with NILMDTS families they photograph in Tampa. The Newsomes pick their favorite image and then send it to Burkhardt who then creates a stunning digital watercolor picture for the families.

"What an amazing gift this team is giving bereaved families in my community and I feel they should be recognized for it," wrote Lori Martini, a bereaved parent in the Tampa area. Thank you Kevin, Kaye and Jo for your amazing contributions to the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep program.

We are truly blessed and honored to have all of them as a part of this organization.

Congratulations, Kevin, Kaye and Jo!

Denise Clark

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

As a Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation Board of Directors member, a lot is expected of Dr. Denise Clark in her position as Chair of the Photographer Membership Committee. And does she ever deliver! On a local level, Denise also works with her husband Danny as the area coordinator for the Texas Medical Center in Houston where they receive on average 3-7 calls per week for NILMDTS services. Denise has been instrumental in creating a call system in the Houston area to ensure proper coverage every day of the month. Denise has a doctorate of pharmacy degree and is a full-time Medical Science Liaison in the pharmaceutical industry. She frequently travels the country in her job, but somehow she makes time each week to spend with her husband Danny, help with their family photography studio and raise two young children, Whitney (6) and James (4). In the midst of it all, she consults with the staff and volunteers at NILMDTS , returning emails and phone calls after she's passed through security and waiting to board a flight, or in the wee dark hours of the early morning or evening. We are truly blessed and honored to have Denise as a part of this organization.

Kathy Schneider

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

This month's Volunteer of the Month is Kathy Schneider of the Denver area. Just like the regions in where you live, the city of Denver has more than a dozen hospitals regularly requesting NILMDTS services.  As Denver is where NILMDTS started, our "reach and frequency" is quite large; and our need for help is great.  In addition to the NILMDTS volunteer network in Colorado needing assistance, so too, does our headquarters office, and Kathy Schneider is a superstar helping our staff each week. We are truly blessed and honored to have her as part of this organization.

Kathy and her husband David did not know about NILMDTS until they read an article in the Rocky Mountain News nearly one year ago in September of 2007. You see, it was exactly six years prior that Kathy gave birth to their first child, Isabelle, on that fateful day of September 11th, 2001. Isabelle did not survive an umbilical cord accident, and while the world was in disbelief at the terrorist attacks, the Schneiders were in mourning having just lost their daughter at the same moment in time that one of the planes slammed into the World Trade Center.

Now, seven years later, Kathy finds time while raising her two small boys, Matthew and Andrew, to take on Area Coordinator duties for the Denver area, help at the office, and participate on the Forum. When the call goes out for a volunteer, the staff at NILMDTS knows that they can count on Kathy, no matter how unexciting and administrative the task may be. Her tireless work for the organization is a true inspiration.

In her spare time, Kathy enjoys quilting and going to the pool with her boys and volunteering her time with many other causes. She is also a former pediatric dietitian at PSL, and her empathy and caring reflect her understanding of both sides of loss.

Congratulations, Kathy!

Thank you!

Heather Lombardo

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

While we often hear families refer to the children our NILMDTS photographers capture in images as "Angel Babies", one of the families that Heather Lombardo provided services for calls her, "... our angel with a camera." Following our implementation of the NILMDTS session logging system last fall, Heather personally inputted approximately 65 sessions into our system - YES - that's at least 65 families who have treasured images of their children thanks to Heather! As her Co-Area Coordinator Jessica Person puts it, "I can't say enough about the spirit of service present in the heart of Heather Lombardo. Her skill as a photographer is unquestioned, but as a leader she is unmatched." Heather is also assisting in a volunteer capacity processing new registrant applications as a member of the NILMDTS Board of Directors Application Review Subcommittee.

As one of our newly Certified NILMDTS Trainers, Heather will be canvassing the state of Minnesota to provide regional training seminars for new and veteran members in the area. We expect Heather will be a great ambassador for the program to correctly teach the skills, techniques and personal interactions necessary for a volunteer to succeed in this challenging work. Congratulations, Heather! Thank you!

Tasha Nicholls

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

Tasha Nicholls received praise and nominations for this honor from around the country!

Most of you know of Tasha's work from her constant presence on the NILMDTS Forum. The NILMDTS photographers in the Portland area rave "if only everyone was as fortunate as we are to have a 'Tasha' in their area!"

Tasha serves as a Parent Coordinator, assisting the photographers with families in any way possible. She is also a regular contributor to the Forum - both on the Family - and because she has Coordinator privileges - and on the Photographer side. Just a few years ago, Tasha might not have known what a "soft box" or "Photoshop" was but today she is proficient in many skills such as building extravagant graphics and video editing. Despite the fact that she has four children of her own, here are a few of the extraordinary services and items Tasha has provided to NILMDTS in a voluntary capacity:

* Complete redesign of the Photographer Recruitment Postcard * Design of the NILMDTS Business Card * Production from start to finish on the new NILMDTS Recruitment Video * Design of the Volunteer of the Month plaque

Additionally, Tasha is working on the redesign of our NILMDTS Brochures - the staple found in nearly every hospital in the country. We're hoping to have the new brochures available in the near future. (Watch for e-blasts or news on the Forum.) Here at the NILMDTS Headquarters office, Tasha is practically an employee - although she does all of her work for free. With as little as an hour's notice, she'll draft up a graphic or a document for us - whatever we need. Our entire organization is fortunate to have folks like Tasha pouring their heart and soul into helping others through their personal talents. Congratulations, Tasha! Thank you!

Aimee Bickers

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

This month's Volunteer of the Month is Aimee Bickers of Apex, NC.  Aimee joined the NILMDTS ranks in September 2006 and has been steadfast in her dedication to helping families capture priceless memories.

I contacted Aimee after finding her name listed on the national site. Aimee struck me as a dedicated caring and compassionate person from our first conversation. Aimee serves as the area coordinator for Raleigh/Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A busy mom to three young children, including former pre-term twins, Aimee really "gets it." Within the first month NILMDTS was introduced to our unit, we had ten deaths. All I ever had to do was call Aimee and she was here with her camera and her heart. - Marie S. Peluso, RN Bereavement Support Nurse Duke Intensive Care Nursery

Pure Expressions Photography

It's just not possible to attribute success solely to ones own talent, desire or determination. Success comes on the heels of working hard, working smart and in giving back to those that need it most. Success is also not measured by the amount of money one has, nor the time spent working, but through generosity of heart, mind and soul.

This quote, taken from Aimee's website, illustrates her dedication and commitment to giving back to the community that has helped her grow as a professional over the years.  Aimee is the Area Coordinator for the Raleigh/Durham area of NC and is active in both the Duke University and UNC Hospital systems.

She has logged 15 sessions since our automated system went live (in October 2007) and many many more since joining in September 2006.  She is working diligently to recruit area photographers and expose hospitals to the services that NILMDTS can offer.  Her leadership is helping many families who might not have otherwise been able to capture precious memories with their infants.

Great job Aimee! Thank you!