Provided by Alaina’s Gift Inc.
March has been known as Women’s History Month since 1987. It is a month designed to highlight the issues women face, how women have made history, and how influential women are in our world. Woodbridge resident Charie Combo exemplifies three of the highlighted areas for Women’s History Month.
“Break the Silence”
Charie is the Founder of Alaina’s Gift Inc.. This 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization was created to assist mothers who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss with medical bills associated with the loss. She stands tall in an effort to “Break the Silence” about pregnancy and infant loss, stillbirths and miscarriages. The nonprofit’s goal is to give the grieving family one less thing to worry about so that they can grieve. According to Charie, “Providing financial assistance to a family in need is just our way of helping them grieve properly without worrying about a medical bill. Think about it: would you want to pay a bill for something you don’t have? If I can help it, neither will these families.” Charie wants everyone to know that a lot of women face these issues and that it is absolutely ok to talk about pregnancy and infant loss, stillbirths and miscarriages.
Charie is attempting to make history by others on pregnancy and infant loss. She appreciates women like Carly Marie Dudley, who created International Bereaved Mother’s Day in 2010. Mother’s Day is a special day for some, but a sad day for those who have lost children.
Mommy & Me Fun Run
Her nonprofit hosts a yearly Mommy & Me Fun Run. This event honors mothers of living children, along with mothers who have angel babies. This year the event will be held on Saturday, May 9 at Occoquan Regional Park. Each mother will leave with a special gift of appreciation. Charie hopes to create a law requiring insurance companies to cover all expenses (not just a percentage) of a pregnancy or infant loss. She hopes to have the law passed in Virginia first, then expand nationally.
By speaking up and out about pregnancy and infant loss, Charie inspires others to shed some light on this topic. “If my nonprofit work influences just one person to become an advocate for a good cause, then I’ve done my job.”
To support or to find out more about Alaina’s Gift and all of their fundraising events, please follow them on Facebook (@alainasgiftinc) and Instagram (alainas_gift_inc) and their website.
