Community Service Program
Peggi Severini, CDA

I want to thank everyone for their continued support of our Memory Box program. We know how much it means to the local hospital that we donate our boxes to. Please consider the following guidelines when preparing your boxes. Remember that these boxes hold very precious memen-tos and thoughtful care should go into creating them. They should not look like they were done hastily just to get them finished.

This list was compiled at a previous meeting:

*Try to use boxes that are large enough to hold numerous items including a birth certificate and small blanket.
*Avoid using rectangular boxes that look like miniature caskets.
*All surfaces of the box must be painted and varnished.

• Remove any price stickers before painting.
• Allow time for varnish to cure before turning boxes in for donation so that they don’t smell.
• Sand off or re-glue any loose pieces of Paper Mache.

*Please choose appropriate subject matter:

• Home décor patterns like roosters, etc. are discouraged.
• Use patterns that are child oriented:
  Teddy bears, boats, cars, puppies, toys, kittens, angels, baby animals, etc.
• Calming designs are good - not frivolous or too “happy”, but not “somber or sad” either.
• Floral designs are fine.
• Add a small part of the design to the inside of the box or a heart or even a saying.
• Add short sayings to your design on the lid—some in other languages.
• If you are painting children, remember that different ethnicities are nice.