In 2015 Joyce Bolton Smith proposed that TBA start the “New Angel Baskets Project” working with Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Our members enthusiastically joined in.  Since the first delivery, there have been close to 200 baskets delivered to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville or East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville. These baskets are donated by the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to parents whose child has passed away. Some of our members and community neighbors from local churches knit or crochet blankets and make pillows to complete our gift.

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Joyce passed away in late December 2022.  We know that Joyce is getting to meet the new angels who were served by one of our baskets. The TBA board has voted to change the name to “The Joyce Bolton Smith New Angel Basket Project ” and to establish the “The Joyce Bolton Smith New Angel Basket Fund” to continue this work.  Material costs of a basket can range from $15 to $60 depending on the size and materials.  If you would like to honor Joyce Bolton Smith legacy and help support this effort, click the donate button.