This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After three sons, Heidi Files was ecstatic to learn she was pregnant with a baby girl, and immediately named her Jocelyn.
That excitement turned to sorrow on Jan. 17, when Jocelyn was stillborn, the day before her due date. Now Files and her friends and family will remember Jocelyn, and all stillborn babies, with a tree at this year's Festival of Trees.
The tree, decorated in angels and butterflies, is partly a survival mechanism for the Herriman mother.
"I don't know how I'm going to survive the holidays without keeping busy," Files said. When her friend Amy Reed suggested a tree, it seemed a perfect fit — a way to stay busy while honoring Jocelyn's memory.
The tree will also help raise money for Primary Children's Medical Center, a cause dear to both the Files and Reed families. One of Files' sons has spent time at the hospital with asthma and peanut allergies, and Reed's son spent a few weeks in the hospital as a newborn.
Every penny counts at the festival, which has been the hospital's largest fundraiser for 88 years. It raises money to help offset the cost of medical expenses for children receiving care. Families pay a yearly maximum, no matter how long their child stays or what procedures are done. Proceeds from the festival help make up the difference.
The hospital had more than 14,000 visits last year, with financial aid totaling $14.3 million. The 2009 Festival raised slightly more than $1.5 million of that. Those numbers are expected to continue to grow.
"The Festival of Trees does not set a goal," said volunteer organizer Sharon Smith. "We want every penny we can get to make sure Primary Children's can continue their outstanding care."
Reed and Files are also hoping to help moms who experience infant death and pregnancy loss. Files has become active in Share Parents of Utah, a support group for families, and has also started a jewelry line, "Inspired by Jocelyn."
Reed has already been a friend to mothers like Files though Newborns in Need. The organization provides funeral items, such as burial gowns and blankets, to families who have lost children. Low-income families come home from the hospital with clothing and other needed baby items.
Doctors haven't determined what went wrong for baby Jocelyn, although they suspect failure of the placenta. Files knows she may never have closure, but she hopes a purple-and-gold Christmas tree filled with butterfly angels will help her make it through the holidays while helping other babies in need. See the tree
The 2010 Festival of Trees runs Dec. 1-4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at the South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy. Trees generally sell at auction before the festival opens, but patrons can purchase holiday boutique items and food. All proceeds benefit Primary Children's Medical Center. For more information, visit http://www.festivaloftreesutah.org.
Admission is $5, $4 for seniors, $3 for children 2 to 11, free for children under 2. Cash or check only. Discount tickets ($4 adult, $2.50 children) are available at any Zions Bank location or by contacting Verla Christensen at 801-266-8523 or Primary Children's Medical Center at 801-213-3272 prior to festival week.
Dec. 1 is Family Day, when up to six immediate family members may enter for $15.