We paint memory boxes for McMaster and Joseph Brant neonatal intensive care units. They are given to bereaved parents with mementos of their infant's hospital stay- id bracelet, neonatal cap, lock of hair etc.
Nurses try to offer the parents a choice from 2 or 3 boxes without having to consider religious beliefs or customs. For this reason nurses prefer boxes with a strokework or floral motif. We have been asked to stay away from angels and most animals. Bears are fine. Stencils that are not just background and stickers are not appropriate.
Don't forget for whom you are painting and select your palette with babies in mind.
Before delivery, our coordinators put a silica pouch in the box for freshness and the following message:
If you are having difficulty getting the label off the bottom of the box then try either dampening it or warming it a little with a hair dryer.
You have spent time painting the outside of the box and we ask that you also make the inside nice by putting on a coat of paint. Some of our members have used a gold colour or alternatively you could use household latex paint in a neutral colour such as cream or white. Finally, to help preserve the work you have done, varnish the box inside and out.
You can earn 100 HADA bucks for each box turned in. This amount is doubled in October, February and May.
From September 08 to the February 09 meeting the count for the number of painted boxes returned is 118.
Coordinators for the memory box program are:
Elaine Hewitt who takes care of McMaster and also maintains,orders and distributes our supply of boxes to be painted.
Look for information in upcoming HADASAY newsletters about another memory box paint-in on Saturday, 19 September, 2009.
Although I cannot hold you in my arms
You will be forever held
Deep within my heart.
Although I cannot see you with my eyes,
I will picture you always in my mind,
Of what was, and what could have been.
Know that you are loved, and that you made a special place
Within my life and I will cherish you always.............Lisa Kerr
Handpainted by a member of Hamilton & Area Decorative Artists
