The Christmas Box Angel or the Angel of Hope was introduced to the world in the book The Christmas Box, a worldwide best seller and television movie by author Richard Paul Evans. The story is a fictional account of his own mother’s mourning of the loss of a child. In the book a woman grieves for her lost child at the base of an angel statue. The angel monument once existed but is speculated to have been destroyed. In response to grieving parents Richard Paul Evans commissioned another angel statue.
On December 6, 1994 in Salt Lake City, UT the first Angel of Hope statue was dedicated. Since this time over 54 statues have been commissioned, dedicated, and placed as a site for healing. Compassionate Friends is raising funds to support the Angel of Hope and Memorial Garden which was dedicated and opened on November 28, 2004 on the property of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home. The project is not fully funded and there will be ongoing opportunities to support the project financially.
In 2001 the local Chapter of Compassionate Friends under the direction of Ben & Betsy Gates began looking for a facilitator. Marti Schrader, GRS for DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home stepped in and took over the task. Compassionate Friends began meeting with Tapestries, the grief support group at the funeral home.
