A young lady places items about her grandfather in a shadow box at a past Shadow Box Workshop. We’re hosting another workshop on July 12.

A special workshop to help individuals and families remember and honor a loved one is coming July 12.

The Shadow Box Workshop gives participants all the supplies they need—shadow boxes, scrapbook materials, and creative tools—to make their own shadow box or scrapbook page to display at home. There is no fee. All are invited, though the event is capped at 25 guests.

The Shadow Box Workshop is sponsored by the Hospice Care Plus Bereavement Outreach program. RSVPs are requested to hospice@hospicecp.org or 859-986-1500. People can also RSVP to the Shadow Box Workshop’s Facebook event page. The workshop will be held in our Compassionate Care Center’s family room from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

Guests should bring photos, old letters, and other keepsakes and memorabilia to use in their box or page.

Katlyn McGee, a bereavement social worker at Hospice Care Plus who’s working with other staff and volunteers to organize the event, says the workshops give people a chance to cope with their loss creatively.

“Whether they lost their loved one six months or six years ago, it gives them a chance to use their hands to express their love for and memories of that person,” says Katlyn.

Hospice’s bereavement program has hosted several such workshops over the years, with a diversity of participants who bring all kinds of treasured keepsakes.

“We’ve had men and women come to remember a spouse, children to remember a special grandparent, and siblings come to honor a brother or sister,” says Katlyn. “And, of course, many come to make a shadow box or scrapbook page in memory of a parent. They all bring their special remembrances. In the past, guests have brought everything from wedding invitations to Elvis concert tickets and favorite fishing lures.”

The workshop is suitable for both adults and children, although Hospice asks that all children be accompanied by an adult. To learn more, visit the Facebook Event Page, call us at 859-986-1500, or email hospice@hospicecp.org.