01/08/2025
Closing one chapter of love...
Twelve years ago, I was handed some poorly photocopied pieces of paper with biased and overwhelming information that was meant to help prepare me for welcoming my son with Down syndrome. Eleven years ago, I was determined to make my type of diagnosis story a thing of the past and that future families welcoming a baby with Down syndrome would be met with empathy, support and most of all love.
We are closing the chapter of Baskets of Love being just Conor and me. I am excited to announce that the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation will now welcome Baskets of Love into their mandate and continue the mission I started. It is my hope that even more babies and families will be reached to help them transition more easily and positively into life with Down syndrome.
It has been incredibly rewarding meeting so many in our community and it is through Baskets of Love that my journey with Down syndrome shifted. A family member once told me that my world was going to go technicolour with love, and it did. We have had the privilege of welcoming over 200 families in British Columbia to the Down syndrome community, but we didn't do it alone. It would not have been possible without the small shop donors, volunteer basket deliverers, private donations of toys and handmade items and the mailing of baskets through the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation.
Thank you to all of our supporters whether you've just discovered us or have been with us from the start. There are so many people to thank (and I hope you all know who you are) but there are a few I want to especially mention. Thank you, Krista, for answering all my questions in the early days and cheering me on from Alberta. Without you I would have let Baskets of Love sit as just an idea. Thank you, Amanda and Shylah from Só Luxury, Karyn from 321 Joy, Sally from Eggie Baby, and Caron and Michelle from Two Blooms for consistently donating your incredible products right from the start, often without me even asking. Thank you to all of the Baskets of Love Army Volunteers for making sure a basket reached a baby and their family when I physically couldn't do it, with special thanks to Heather, Cynthia and Danielle for being part of this journey across BC. Thank you to all those that made donations through our Amazon Wishlist and reached out to make private monetary donations. Many of you received a Basket of Love or know someone that did, and you wanted to help another family receive some comfort and support as they joined the community.
Some of our dearest and closest friends were made from delivering a Basket of Love. From our effort to welcome new babies and families to the Down syndrome community, we were in turn welcomed into the hearts and homes of many. It is a gift we will always be grateful for.
With love and thanks, Danielle + Conor xoxo
Opening a new chapter of love...
The new home of Baskets of Love will be at the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation. Please email [email protected] to request a Baskets of Love directly from the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation. Baskets can be delivered to any hospital, pediatrician, public health nurse, midwife or family in British Columbia, Canada by mail or in-person, depending on location.
