I received an email today from Richard DeFelice. Richard is the President of Blazin' Blades Scroller of Western Pennsylvania. They are a local chapter of the Scrollsaw Association of the World. After reading his email I just had to share this wonderful project they undertook. I think it is fantastic. Here is an excerpt from Richards' email explaining the Memory Box projects.
Memory Box Project
"An American flag, toy cats, a crucifix carved out of wood. Displayed outside each room in the memory impairment area at Saxony Health Center, these items serve as beacons in hallways where doorways might otherwise all look the same. It’s a good thing, said the activities director, because they recognize their own rooms; something they like will catch their eye. Affixed to the wall in oak boxes with Plexiglas fronts, the boxes reflect the efforts of Blazin’ Blades Scrollers whose members created them as one of their service projects.
Now the boxes are filled with an array of objects: animal figurines distinguish the room of a retired veterinarian, religious items were placed for a priest.
Club member “Hobe” Kenton coordinated the project. “Hobe” had to make sure they were safe for residents, which explains the use of Plexiglas, not glass, that is used to slide into grooves in the shadow boxes to protect the items inside. Taking into account safety and the size of contents, Kenton created kits for the boxes that measure 10 by 12 by 4 inches. “I made up kits; I cut all the pieces and took them to the scrollsaw meeting and passed them out to members. The finished projects were returned to me at the following meeting. It’s always nice to do something like this,” Hobe said upon seeing the finished project for the first time. “Someone says there is a need and you see the final product being used. I think it’s neat”.
The club’s ongoing projects include donating homemade toys at Christmastime to Toys for Tots and furnishing wooden toys to children in the Dominion Republic through a ministry in Dayton, Pennsylvania. The club also donates handcrafted items to nursing home residents."
Richard, Hobe and the members of Blazin' Blades have put together a wonderful project for the residents of this health center. It makes me remember just how rewarding being a part of a club can be. If you live in the area of this group or any other woodworking group do yourself a favor and join. It does not matter if you are just looking at starting in the hobby or have years of experience. You will be welcomed. You will meet new friends and you will get more from the hobby.
Thanks Blazin' Blades. I loved hearing from you all and keep up the great work you do.
You can contact Richard for more information from the clubs website
Here is a current list of SAW chapters and links to some other fine scroll saw clubs
