On the Songs of Birds’ Story
Jeremy and Lisa have learned in the months that have followed Anderson’s death that, while rare, SUDC affects many families from all parts of the world, from all walks of life. A child’s unexpected death, no matter what the cause of death, has dramatic impacts on the family, friends, and even the local community.
Jeremy and Lisa recognize that they were fortunate, if that can be imagined, to have the experience they did after their son died. Often families are not allowed to spend precious time with their recently deceased child in such circumstances because the investigation into the child’s death overshadows and hinders important steps in the grieving process.
Jeremy and Lisa, along with family, friends, and even newly found friends since Anderson’s death that took part in the incident, have been struck by the need to raise awareness of SUDC and seek an understanding, through research, of the causes of SUDC with the hope that some of these baffling deaths could one day be avoided. The family also feels very fortunate to have had the experience they did in spending time with their son at the scene of his death and being allowed to hold him, love him, and gently say goodbye to him. It has come to their knowledge that there is a lot to be done to ensure other families are afforded the same priceless moment.
Furthermore, nothing brings more joy to Lisa and Jeremy and their family to relish those children that are still with us smiling, learning, and growing. It is important to the family that those children be celebrated through special child enrichment projects that will foster fun and healthy learning and growth.
Out of the experiences of Jeremy and Lisa in this otherwise tragic loss On the Songs of Birds was born. The name for the organization comes from the fact that Anderson LOVED birds. He would screech with excitement watching birds feed at a feeder just outside a window beside their dinner table. Anderson would excitedly squeal “bird, bird!” every time a new bird came into view. Because of a poem Lisa first read when a classmate died in high school and then read again when a friend gave her a book of poems right after Anderson’s death, Lisa and Jeremy have taken comfort that Anderson’s joyful spirit lives on in the songs of birds. It was particularly poignant that in a book of over 100 verses, the first poem Lisa opened to randomly upon receiving that book was the poem she recalled from long ago:
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
-Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)
On the Songs of Birds’ Mission
On the Songs of Birds has a four part mission:
(1) Support and further awareness of SUDC;
(2) Raise funds for and support research regarding the causes of SUDC;
(3) Support and fundraise for services to assist grieving families at the time of an unexpected death of a child and thereafter during the grieving process;
(4) Support and fundraise to complete child enrichment projects.
It is our hope that through the end of 2012 we can raise $25,000 to support our missions. On the Songs of Birds plans to donate a significant portion of its proceeds to SUDC.org to support their ability to provide free counseling services for bereaved parents and continue much needed research. Details of SUDC.org’s work can be found at SUDC.org.
On the Songs of Birds would also like to identify jurisdictions that require additional training on how to handle investigations and scenes where a child has died unexpectedly and fund one or more first responders in at least one jurisdiction to receive training from an accredited training program.
On the Songs of Birds is also working to identify a child enrichment project such as a park or educational experience which On the Songs of Birds can raise funds to construct and implement. While several potential projects have been identified, On the Songs of Birds is continuing to evaluate their potential and feasibility. It is anticipated that by the end of 2012 a project will be selected, along with a budget, and funds will be dedicated towards implementing the project in 2013-2014.
Finally, through all of the events planned now and in the future, On the Songs of Birds will be working towards raising awareness of SUDC and community support to strengthen community services for parents and daycare providers impacted by the unexpected death of a child.
Thank you for supporting On the Songs of Birds. For additional information regarding the organization’s activities or financial information, On the Songs of Birds is registered with the Washington State Charities Program as required by law and information may be obtained by calling 800-332-4483 or 360-725-0378.
On the Songs of Birds is a WA non-profit which is applying for, but has not yet received, federal tax-exempt status. It is expected we will receive a tax-exempt determination within the next six months, and, assuming we do so, contributions made from June 6th forward will be deductible for federal income tax purposes. While we do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining tax-exempt status, potential donors should be aware that there is a possibility that the organization may not qualify. In that event, while any funds contributed will still be used to support the purposes of the organization, the contribution will not be tax deductible and will not be returned.
