A child who dies in the womb knows only its parents love. He knows no pain.

Those were the words of the Rev. Jeffrey Wald, St. James Basilica, at Jamestown Regional Medical Center’s GOLF “fore” ANGELS event on Aug. 4.

“We will always be a parent to that child – whether in our arms or in our hearts as angels in heaven,” he said.

The 9-hole ANGELS tournament benefits infant bereavement care at JRMC.

Every year, families experience the loss of an infant due to an unexpected circumstance. The Dr. Mandy and Dave Sorlie ANGELS fund helps pay medical bills for those parents through the JRMC Foundation. The fund is available to anyone who experiences infant loss at JRMC at the gestation of 16 weeks or greater up to 4 months of age due to unavoidable circumstances.

ANGELS stands for Advocating for Neonatal Grief and Early Loss Support (ANGELS). ANGELS grant amounts and recipients are determined by the availability of funds. The grant covers the labor and delivery charges after insurance payments. On average, families that have insurance would otherwise have to pay more than $1,500 for these medical services. ANGELS removes this financial burden and helps families grieve.

Since it started three years ago, ANGELS has helped 10 families.

“It is a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by people who care so deeply about others who experience the loss of a child,” said JRMC Foundation Director Lisa Jackson. “GOLF ‘fore’ ANGELS support is in remembrance of our angels.”

In 2017, the tournament raised about $9,000. This year, the tournament raised $12,700 thanks to the support of more than 20 teams – the biggest in the ANGELS event history.

Tournament results:

  • Tourney Winners (Lowest Gross Score)
    1. Ulland Team
    2. Moser Team
    3. Sorlie Team
  • 50/50 Cash Raffle: Mary Meyer. She donated it back to the fund.
  • Dustin Jensen had a hole in one on #12
  • Hole 10: Ladies Longest Drive: Katie Dumphy
  • Hole11: Longest Putt Gary Weis
  • Hole 12: Closest to the Pin: Dustin Jensen
  • Hole 14: Par 3 Speed hole completed by the Wanzek team in 1.28 minutes
  • Hole 15: Men’s Longest Drive: Dustin Jensen
  • Hole 16 Shortest Drive: Sara Odin
  • Hole 17 Longest Drive: Skyler Oberlander
  • Hole 18 Closest in 2: Eric Volk

Sponsors:

  • Angel
    • Mandy and Mr. Dave Sorlie Family
    • Timothy Volk, in memory of Capri
    • Nill Construction, in memory of Adam Lee Nill
  • Advocate
    • Sanford Health
    • Reis Above Aviation
    • Jason & Meghan Braun Family
    • Jamestown Country Club
    • Zen Sleep Consulting Annie Schlecht, in honor of my sleeping angel, Kyan. Auntie loves you.
  • Hole
    • Essentia Health
    • Sue & Jim Matthiesen in loving memory of Tenley Elizabeth Henning; Mike & Erin’s Angel
    • Two Rivers Printing
    • Jory & Missy Hansen Family in memory of Hayden & Kade
    • Collins Family in memory of Julie Ann Collins
    • Collins Family in memory of Claire Karen Patnaude
    • The Medicine Shoppe
    • Triumph Inc.
    • Ryan, Jess & Gavin Skjeret
    • Kent & Jeanne Sortland
    • Dale & Wendy Thompson in memory of Kyan Lauby, # 9
  • Not There But Still Care
    • Steve & Amie Aesoph
    • Gary & Marit Petrek
    • Reuben & Clarice Liechty
    • Deb Bitz
    • Cara Schagunn-Lere
    • Wanda Walker in memory of Kami Jo Walker
    • Brandi Dockter in memory of Johanna Rae Dockter
    • Steve and Rosi Suko
    • Dr. Sarah Schatz McGale and Mr. Thomas McGale
    • Rory Timm