Community Compassion Brings Comfort to Families Experiencing Perinatal Loss
June 25, 2026
Almonte, ON – Families
experiencing perinatal loss at Almonte General Hospital will soon receive
handcrafted memory boxes thanks to a compassionate community initiative
involving The Souls Nest, Almonte and District High School, and the Mississippi
River Health Alliance.
The memory boxes were created
by students in the school's construction and art programs and donated to the
Obstetrical Department at Almonte General Hospital. Designed to hold treasured
keepsakes and mementos, the boxes will provide families with a special place to
preserve memories of their babies during an incredibly difficult time.
The initiative was inspired
by the lived experience of Jennifer Thompson, Founder of The Souls Nest, who
received a memory box following the loss of her twin daughters more than 20
years ago.
"Over the years, that
memory box became one of my most treasured possessions and a tangible reminder
that my daughters' lives mattered and continue to be remembered," said
Thompson. "My hope is that these boxes will provide other families with a
safe place to keep precious memories and a lasting reminder that their babies
will never be forgotten."
Earlier this year, Thompson
approached Almonte and District High School with the idea of creating memory
boxes for families experiencing perinatal loss. Students in the school's
construction and art programs enthusiastically embraced the project, combining
craftsmanship, creativity, and compassion to bring the idea to life.
"These memory boxes are
much more than wooden keepsakes," said Denieve Carraro, Manager of the
Obstetrical and Emergency Departments at the Mississippi River Health Alliance.
"They represent care, compassion, and the understanding that even small
gestures can provide comfort during some of life's most difficult moments. We
are incredibly grateful to the students, educators, and community partners who
made this initiative possible."
The boxes will provide
families with a place to store photographs, footprints, handprints, hospital
bracelets, letters, locks of hair, and other cherished mementos that honour the
lives of babies who were deeply loved.
This meaningful project
demonstrates the power of community collaboration and the lasting impact that
compassion can have on families when they need it most.
The Mississippi River Health
Alliance extends its sincere thanks to Jennifer Thompson, The Souls Nest, the
students and staff of Almonte and District High School, and everyone who
contributed their time, talent, and compassion to this initiative.
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Media Contact:
Caitlin O’Hara, Communications Lead
Mississippi River Health Alliance
613-621-9638
caohara@mrha.ca
About the Mississippi River Health
Alliance (MRHA)
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) was
formed in 2016 to formalize and strengthen collaboration between the Almonte
General Hospital Corporation—which includes Almonte General Hospital (AGH),
Fairview Manor (FVM), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS)—and the
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Corporation (CPDMH). This
partnership delivers seamless, high-quality healthcare that addresses the
evolving needs of local communities. Together, the MRHA is building an
integrated healthcare system that provides comprehensive care close to home,
enhancing access and improving health outcomes throughout the region. For more
information visit MRHA.ca.