ANGELS & SAINTS: Axe of Love to support families after infant loss
Jamestown, ND — Axe of Love creates acts of kindness for bereaved families.
The first-ever ANGELS & SAINTS: Axe of Love fundraiser is on Wednesday, March 15. All proceeds benefit families who experience infant loss through a program called the Advocating for Neonatal Grief and Early Loss Support (ANGELS) fund.
Dave and Dr. Mandy Sorlie created the ANGELS fund in 2015. The ANGELS fund offsets the cost of medical bills for families who experience the loss of an infant at Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC).
“As a family physician, I have witnessed the pain and felt the heartbreak that families experience during the loss of an infant. My husband and I could not imagine being faced with a financial burden at the same time. My goal in creating this fund was to help families with the financial burden so they can focus on grieving their loss,” Dr. Sorlie said.
Previously, the Sorlies organized the GOLF “fore” ANGELS event each summer. The Axe of Love event includes 30 minutes of axe-throwing and indoor golf competitions at Pit Stop Sports.
“ANGELS & SAINTS: Axe of Love allows us to support this fund in the cooler months,” Dr. Sorlie said. “We’re grateful for the partnership with Pit Stop Sports to make this possible.”
Pit Stop Sports is the title sponsor of the event. Owner Mike Hansen said he donates to several community events. However, this one is especially significant. His firstborn, Quinn, died in 1993 at the age of 6 weeks.
“We have lost a child, so we understand the hurt and pain that goes with it. The pain never does go away. You just get used to it,” he said.
Hansen said he can hardly remember the funeral or picking out the headstone with the little lamb’s feet. However, he does remember the community’s kindness. His hope for Axe of Love is to bring awareness to families like his and support others, the way the town of Ypsilanti – where the Hansens lived - did after Quinn’s death.
“I’m almost certain the community raised enough for those expenses,” he said. “I’m glad the ANGELS fund can continue to provide support like that for this region.”
Last year, ANGELS supported three families. Since 2015, it has supported 18.
“The ANGELS fund is so special to all of us at JRMC,” said Foundation Director Lisa Jackson. “I'm honored to be part of this and grateful for everyone who is part of a healing and supportive event. A special thank you to the Sorlie family and Pit Stop Sports for making this possible.”
The evening of ANGELS & SAINTS includes a round of axe throwing, food, an auction, golf and more. Tickets are $100 per two-person team. Individuals can donate wine or a virtual auction item, sponsor the event or donate directly to the fund. The social begins at 4:30 p.m. Teams can select one of three 30-minute axe-throwing sessions; if not throwing, anyone is welcome to join us for supper for a freewill donation.
Individuals must be 16 years old to throw axes.
To learn more or register for the event, visit jrmcnd.com/axe-oflove.
About Jamestown Regional Medical Center
Jamestown Regional Medical Center serves 35,000 people in the North Dakota heartland. In 2022, the National Rural Health Association named it a “Top 20 Critical Access Hospital” for the third consecutive year. Since 2017, Modern Healthcare recognized JRMC as a Best Place to Work five times. Specialty services include ear, nose & throat, cancer care, OB/GYN, podiatry, orthopedics, urology and wound care. Visit jrmcnd.com or call (701) 952-1050.