In June, 1998, three painters in California realized that in area hospitals there were many bereaved parents of infants lost to miscarriages or early deaths. When these families lost their newborn infants, they went home with no child in arms and only a few precious keepsakes given to them by the nursing staff, usually in a paper or plastic bag. They initiated hand painted MEMORY BOXES and information was shared via the internet. Today, hospitals in the USA, Canada, England, Italy and Germany participate in this program.

HOOT became involved in 1998 when our membership voted to make the Memory Box Program one of the chapter's philanthropic projects. HOOT provides boxes to the members throughout the year, for painting with patterns of their choice, many of which are original designs. Boxes and supplies are also available for painting by our Convention guests. Through October 2010, 5534 boxes have been donated to 14 area hospitals.

For more information about the Memory Box Program, contact our chair through the HOOT email: HOOT626@wowway.com

Unfortunately we are not able to provide Memory Boxes to out of state hospitals. We do have information to help you locate a source for boxes in your state. Please visit the website of Tole Friends' Memory Box Program:    http://www.memoryboxes.org 
Here you will find contact information for the charity chair, additional  information about the charity,  pictures, and an application to fill out. 

Below are pictures of Memory Boxes painted at our annual conventions, chapter meetings, and by our members.