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.