A Night of Honor, Remembrance, and Community

The Angel Ball is more than a fundraiser. It is a gathering of people who believe that every baby deserves to be honored, and every family deserves to be held. Each year, we take a moment to recognize the individuals and teams whose dedication, compassion, and courage make that belief visible in the world.

On the evening of May 9, 2026, during the Angel Ball program at Royal Courtyard at West Neck in Virginia Beach, Virginia, we were proud to announce three honorees whose stories, service, and commitment reflect the very heart of Kennedy's Angel Gowns.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Salem High School Cheer Team Virginia Beach, Virginia

Since the very first Kennedy's Angel Gowns 5K Angel Run in 2017, the Salem High School Cheer Team has been there — every single year. Led by Cheer Coach Sherraine Moseley-Martin, these young athletes have lined the course for seven consecutive years, cheering on runners, families, children, and everyone in between. In a season filled with competitions and homecoming events, they choose — year after year — to show up for this community. Their presence is a reminder that even on the hardest days, there is always someone cheering for you.

Read their full story on our blog.

Angel on Earth Award

Erica Freeman Founder, Sisters in Loss

Erica Freeman knows firsthand what it is to navigate pregnancy and infant loss without adequate support — and she has spent years making sure other families never have to. As Founder of Sisters in Loss, she has built a community of healing through a podcast, support groups, provider training, and a five-year partnership with Kennedy's Angel Gowns. Her work equips families, educates providers, and creates spaces where grief is spoken out loud, and no one is left to walk this journey alone.

Read Erica's full story on our blog.

Ambassador Family Award

Dana Griffin-Graves Founder & President, BabyBuns for Life Network

Dana Griffin-Graves and her husband, Arkell, spent seventeen years on the road to parenthood — navigating four miscarriages, the stillbirth of a son, adoption, and the miraculous NICU survival of their son Kaleb, born at 23 weeks and just 13 ounces. From that journey, Dana built BabyBuns for Life Network, an organization that has served more than 6,000 families across Virginia and Texas. She has shared her story openly — through advocacy, partnership, and her book, 13 Ounces of Faith: The BabyBuns Story — ensuring that families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and the NICU experience know they are not alone. Dana also joined us as our guest speaker.

Read Dana's full story on our blog.

Join Us in Celebrating

These three honorees represent something we hold close at Kennedy's Angel Gowns — the belief that how we show up for one another in life's most tender moments matters deeply. Whether through storytelling, service, or seven years at a finish line, each of them has made our community stronger, warmer, and more whole.

If these honorees have moved you, we invite you to continue supporting Kennedy's Angel Gowns' mission. Every gown sewn, every family served, and every event like the Angel Ball is made possible by a community that refuses to let families grieve alone.