The Ava Stocking Project
I met baby Ava only a few days after she was born. She was beautiful from head to toe! I had been communicating by email with her Mommy for months before she was born. We were planning her newborn photo session and I couldn't wait to meet her and take pictures of her. I was heartbroken when I received the phone call that baby Ava was in NICU at Miam Children's Hospital and was not expected to survive. I spoke with Ava's Mom and she asked if I could come to the hospital and take pictures of her beautiful baby girl. I felt blessed that I was able to meet Ava, and her parents, and I was able to take pictures of this precious baby girl.
The following is a letter written by Jake and Kristin ~ baby Ava's parents.
I hope that we can spread the news about The Ava Stocking Project around the world and make our world a better place to live. I believe baby Ava will touch the world, and kindness will be spread in her name.
Thank you for taking the time to read this Blog and please take a moment to be a part of The Ava Stocking Project.
Thank you!
The Ava Stocking Project
Unfortunately, this holiday season will be a little bit different for us. We were anxiously awaiting to spend this Christmas with our sweet baby girl, Ava Catherine. Little did we know that God had greater plans for her. As we rapidly enter the holiday season we especially want to keep her memory alive. Jake and I have been trying to find ways to honor Ava and bring beauty from the pain of losing her. We wanted to find a way to be able to still give her Christmas “gifts” (as this was going to be something I was especially looking forward to do with Ava).
Through searching online we have come up with an annual idea, The Ava Stocking Project. Jake and I would like to invite you to join us in doing something nice for someone else. A random act of kindness in memory of our daughter. Below you will find inspiring ways to achieve this during the holiday season. Please feel free to use one or come up with your own idea. We are planning on getting Ava her own special Christmas stocking. As you participate in The Ava Stocking Project would you please send us a letter or write us an email sharing what you’ve done. As we collect the responses we will keep the letters sealed and emails unread. We will continue to fill Ava’s stocking with people’s emails and letters until Christmas. On Christmas morning we will open up all the letters and emails and read aloud all the beautiful things done in memory of our precious little Ava and admire what a difference she continues to make in people’s lives!
Merry Christmas,
Jake and Kristin
You can send your responses to:
Home Address: 4211 Centurian Circle *Please specify that it is for The Ava Stocking Project. Greenacres, Fl 33463
Leave wipes and diapers in a public restroom. Leave a generous tip for your waiter.
Share your umbrella. Visit someone who is lonely.
Put gas in someone’s car. Leave quarters at a laundry mat.
Help change a tire. Donate books to a library.
Give elderly the gift of music or the playing of checkers.
Leave crayons and coloring books at a doctor’s office.
Give away your parking spot. Visit someone who is lonely.
Donate to your local food pantry.
Send a friend a vase of flowers. Talk with your sales clerk.
Pay the tab for someone behind you at a fast food drive thru.
Offer free babysitting. Visit Ava at the cemetery. Give someone a hug.
Help someone whose car has broken down.
Help your neighbor with yard work.
Tape a quarter to a pay phone. Visit someone who is sick.
Leave a bouquet of flowers for ANOTHER child’s grave at a cemetery. Leave change in a vending machine. Buy a child, at your local hospital, a toy.
Shower people with compliments.
