Kelly Ryan Foundation Wine Tasting & Silent Auction

First Annual Kelly Ryan Foundation Wine Tasting & Silent Auction
Taste over 30 wines, enjoy good food, good company and music.  Bid on fabulous auction items all to help raise funds for the Kelly Ryan Foundation. September 29, 2013 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Country Club of Woodbridge. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 night of event.

Proceeds from this wine tasting and silent auction will benefit the burial assistance program of the Hygeia Foundation, a Connecticut non-profit providing free support services to those grieving the loss of their pregnancy or infant.  The Kelly Ryan Foundation, working through Hygeia, will be providing financial assistance to parents in Connecticut who cannot otherwise afford the expense of a cremation or burial following the death of their baby. The Kelly Ryan Foundation was launched in October 2012 after Woodbridge residents Brooke and Robert Hopkins experienced the sudden and unexplained losso f their infant daughter, Kelly Ryan.  Kelly passed away before she was born, when Brooke’s pregnancy was nearly complete at 40 weeks.  Brooke and Robert, already parents to two young girls, were devastated and in shock; how could a healthy, full term pregnancy end in such unimaginable tragedy?  The Hopkins learned very quickly that they were not alone.  One in four women will experience pregnancy or infant loss at some point in their lives. Even if some don't experience it themselves, someone they know - their friend, sister, or coworker will.  Brooke and Robert were surrounded by family and friends who helped them begin to cope with their loss. They were able to bury their daughter with the dignity they wanted.  Many Connecticut families are not so fortunate.  The painful silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss stigmatizes those who experience it.  Often, parents feel alone, and may not have the resources to provide their child with a dignified funeral or burial.  Upon learning this, the Hopkins chose to envelope these families with support in their daughter’s name. 

For additional information about the Kelly Ryan Foundation, to get involved, or to make a donation to support this event, please visit: www.kellyryanfoundation.org