Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving infant health outcomes through comprehensive services, education, and community partnerships, will host a pair of events that reflect its mission of preventing infant mortality and supporting families through both celebration and loss.
“Honoring Lost Little Ones” on Sept. 19 will be a joint meeting of its Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Community Action Group (CAG) and Case Review Team (CRT)—two committees working together to examine fetal and infant death cases in Osceola County.
Following the meeting, the community is invited to participate in the Infant Mortality Awareness Walk, a solemn tribute to the 29 babies who passed away in Osceola County in 2024. Families who have experienced loss, as well as supporters from the wider community, are encouraged to walk in remembrance and solidarity. Each lost baby will be represented by a teddy bear adorned with their birthdate and a pink or blue ribbon to signify gender, and the keepsakes will be given to the families who join the event.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, the mood will shift from remembrance to celebration during the First Birthday Party, a gathering for Healthy Start families whose children have recently or will soon turn one. The theme will be around the beloved children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Families will enjoy a variety of activities including story time, crafts, music, a nutrition demonstration, and a celebratory lunch featuring birthday cake and presents. Community vendors will also be onsite to offer valuable resources and information.
“We know that not every family gets to celebrate a first birthday,” said Kerri Stephen, Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County. “That’s why this celebration means so much. It’s a testament to the work we do and a reminder of what we’re striving for every day.”
For more information about the events or to get involved, visit www.HealthyStartOsceola. org or contact info@HealthyStartOsceola.org, or 407-891-9199.
