The Memory Box Artist Program, Inc. began in June of 1998 as an all volunteer
effort to provide boxes for families of newborns that pass-away in a hospital.
The Memory Box is given to the parents of the child so they do not leave the
hospital without any acknowledgment of the child's life. The boxes are filled
with mementos of the child, i.e. photograph, footprints, lock of hair, etc.
To date, the program has provided over 513,000 boxes for infant bereavement
programs. The boxes are provided free of charge to the hospitals who participate
in this program. Each box is painted or decorated by volunteers who purchase
the boxes and other supplies with their own funds, and then mail them to the
appropriate hospital without any expectation of compensation.
The purpose of the program is to affirm the life of their child for the family
who has suffered the loss of a newborn. Crafters and artists create each box
with great love and a sincere wish to reach out in support and understanding.
We know each infant is special and loved very much, regardless of how long the
child lived.
The Memory Box Artist Program received nonprofit designation from the
IRS in July, 2003. In January 2009 the program was transferred to Tole
Friends Association for administrative purposes. It will be known as
Tole Friends Memory Box Program from this date on.