Legacy of giving lives on with toy chest
The main lobby of the hospital has been quietly beautified with the addition of a small, but significant, piece of furniture. The unique lobby addition is not only a beautiful toy chest brimming with treasures, but an inspiring piece of art.
A beautiful young woman by the name of Sally Hill is the inspiration behind the toy chest and the comfort it will provide to many of the young patients at Bonner General Hospital. "Sally's Toy Chest" represents a story that illuminates grace at the worst of times
It was at one of those points of medical crisis, that Sally Hill made a simple and poignant observation. Having spent several years undergoing an intense regimen of cancer treatments, Sally spent many hours in hospitals. As she endured the unpredictability of her own disease, her attention was drawn to the children fighting their own battles with disease.
She couldn't help but notice that many of the children were frightened and lonely. Knowing firsthand the isolation you feel during an illness, she knew that a small stuffed animal or toy would be something the child could hold on to before, during and after medical treatments. It would be their "hospital treasure" to take home.
It was during those moments, that she visualized a toy chest filled with small treasures for the children. Their momentary comfort could be as furry as a teddy bear or as captivating as a box of crayons and a coloring book.
Her power of intention initiated a call to that ambitious group of community "doers", the Angels Over Sandpoint. The Angels lived up to their name by enlisting the creative artistry of Mary Shackelford and getting a donation of an alder chest by Ernie Belwood.
Mary Shackelford, a gifted and well-known Hope artist, was committed to this project from start to finish, and designed a whimsically beautiful design on the sides, top and front of the toy chest. Her only challenge was in having enough time to complete the detailed work. Mary was in the middle of her own battle with cancer.
As the illness weakened her physically, her resolve to complete the toy chest only strengthened. Spurred on by the support of family, friends and the compassionate care of Hospice caregivers, she was a "bright light" of passion and commitment.
With the ebb and flow of Mary's strength, she continued to put brush to wood and painted dancing woodland fairies, a friendly crescent moon, and free-spirited bluebirds. As in direct opposition to her illness, she used bright hues of color and smiling faces.
Knowing her days were limited, Mary gave Gail Lyster detailed instructions on finishing the project in the event she couldn't. She continued painting until just five days before she died . With only one side panel remaining, Gail finished the toy chest, adding a cherub-faced jack-in-the-box and sealing it with a protective coat of acrylic.
On March 8, "Sally's Toy Chest" made its final trip to Bonner General Hospital. Sally Hill, friends and family members of Mary Shackelford, and the project's "movers and shakers" of Angels Over Sandpoint gathered together in the main lobby to dedicate the toy chest to its official role at Bonner General Hospital.
The "Angels" are committed to keeping the toy chest abundantly full and have already received donations from Coldwater Creek, Sharon's Hallmark, Vanderford's, Sandpoint Super Drug, as well as receiving donations from private supporters of the project.
A fund has been established to collect tax-deductible donations and new toys are also being accepted. For more information, you can call 255-5656, and donations can be sent to Angels Over Sandpoint, 206 N. Fourth Avenue, No. 163, Sandpoint ID 83864.
In the "divine dichotomy" of life, we know that we are all connected in some wonderful way. The tragic face of illness can spur a need and that need can generate the creative energy that helps one person accomplish one last triumph, while many others benefit from their talent and commitment.
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."