The God Box project gives back. $400,000 and counting...

When Mary Lou wrote the book and the play, she wanted only one thing: to pay forward her mother's compassion, her father's care. So she has set out to create a movement of giving back through "The God Box" story. To date, she has raised over $500,000 for causes including cancer and hospice care, hospitals and health research and for women/family and community educational charities. Proceeds of performance ticket sales and books sold at her events go straight to causes that help families around the country. See the events page for a listing of her upcoming and past events. 

Want to partner with us to stage “The God Box, A Daughter’s Story” in your community to help your favorite charity? Email Mary Lou at marylou@theGodBoxproject.com and let’s talk!

 

Here is an ongoing list of charities and causes whose audiences are benefiting from "The God Box" movement around the country. 

 

Hospitals/hospice/health

Ann's Choice retirement/hospice, Warminster, PA

The American Cancer Society, Coaches V Cancer, Phila, PA

Ann's Choice retirement/hospice, Warminster, PA

The ASCF for pediatric cancer research, Whitehouse Station, NJ

Avow Hospice and Palliative Care, Naples, FL

BeCureful Foundation for Tubular Sclerosis, Lake Forest, IL

Cancer Support Community, NJ

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), PA

Chandler Hall Benevolent Care Fund, Newtown, PA

Creighton University/Hospice House, Omaha, NE

Gilda's Club, New York, NY

Greenville Hospital Cancer Support Community, Greenville, SC

Grief Information Education and Recovery Services, Freehold, NJ

Hospice House, Omaha, NE

Hunterdon Medical Center hospice, Flemington, NJ

Irish Hospice Foundation

Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA
Morristown Memorial Hospital Palliative Care Center , Morristown, NJ
Oncology/chaplains’ services for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Haverford, PA
Sisters U, for women undergoing cancer treatment, Doylestown, PA
St. Mary Hospital Hospice Care programs, Newtown, PA
The American Cancer Society, Coaches V Cancer, Phila, PA
The ASCF for pediatric cancer research, Whitehouse Station, NJ
The Rose Haven Women’s Shelter, Portland, OR

 

Family/education/spiritual charities: 

Adat Shalom Family Services, Pittsburgh, PA

Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote, PA
Family Services for Or Chadash Temple, Flemington, NJ
Family Services, YMCA, Valparaiso, IN

Friends of the Delaware Canal, New Hope, PA

Hallahan Catholic Girls High School Alumnae Scholarship, Phila, PA

Holy Ghost Preparatory School

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Women's Group, Doylestown, PA
Peruvian mission of the Mercy Sisters, Gwynedd, PA
Programming support for NYU Glucksman Ireland House , NY, NY

All Saints Catholic Regional School, Manahawkin, NJ
SheUnited scholarships, St. Joseph’s University, Phila, PA

St. Andrew's Home and School Spring your Faith Women's Retreat, Lawrenceville, NJ

St. Ann's Catholic School, Naples, FL

St. Charles Borromeo Parish School, Port Charlotte, FL

St. Helena's School Scholarships, Phila, PA

St. Hubert High School for Girls, Phila, PA

St. James United Methodist Church Women's Retreat, Atlanta, GA

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, New Hope, PA

The Connelly Center Middle School for Girls, NY, NY

The Rose Haven Women’s Shelter, Portland, OR
The Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund, Phila, PA

The Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund, Harrisburg, PA
Volunteers of St. Catherine of Siena, Phila, PA

 

 

 

 

 

philanthropy picture gallery:

  • A book reading and signing at Or Chadash in Flemington, NJ.

  • Books ready to be signed and sold to benefit the Morristown Hospital pallative unit.

  • Mary Lou at Adat Shalom Temple in Pittsburgh to raise money for the Family and Children’s Services.

  • Mary Lou with a young fan after the show at Saint Joe's University of Philadelphia.

  • Signing books for audience members at the Connelly Center Middle School.

  • Prepping at Mt Saint Joseph's Academy.

  • Mary Lou with Beth Rosen at M2Women in Chicago.

  • Valparaiso Indiana YMCA show to benefit family programs.

  • Women gathering for my speech at The Heritage Conservancy of Bucks County.

MORE >

 

Come meet Mary Lou and experience The God Box: A Daughter's Story at a venue near you.
Learn more

sample chapter
Enjoy a free selected chapter from The God Box.
Download

reading group guide
Invite your book club to join this engaging conversation about Mary Lou’s book.
Download

printable mini cards
Share these mini note cards or write notes for your God Box.
Download

mobile app
The God Box app makes it easy to write notes on the go.
Download

giving back
Ask how Mary Lou can support your local cause with the book and play.
Learn more


press & praise
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  • "In the slips of paper that carry this sweet story forward, we can see the love in our own families and the great possibilities of simple faith."
    – JEFFREY ZASLOW, COAUTHOR OF "THE LAST LECTURE"
  • "A wonderful legacy…Keeping a God Box is an incredibly moving and hopeful ritual that we should all consider adding into our daily lives."
    – REBA, MUSICIAN, AUTHOR, ACTRESS
  • "A beautiful story of love, faith and family. It reads like an intimate, familiar prayer."
    – ELIZABETH GILBERT, AUTHOR OF "EAT, PRAY, LOVE"
  • "The courage and wisdom from the messages left in her mother’s God Box will inspire you to create a God Box of your own."
    – GAIL SHEEHY, AUTHOR OF "PASSAGES IN CAREGIVING"
  • "Mary Lou Quinlan has told the story of her mother in a way that entertains, moves and inspires. The thoughts about life and values will stick with you forever."
    – JIM LEHRER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF PBS NEWSHOUR
  • "Mary Lou Quinlan shares her mother’s handmade and heartfelt gift of how to persist, believe and move forward with joy."
    – LEE WOODRUFF, AUTHOR OF "IN AN INSTANT"
  • "What a beautiful and profoundly human book....I will keep The God Box in my heart for a long, long time."
    – LAURA SCHROFF, AUTHOR OF "THE INVISIBLE THREAD"

The God Box App is shiny new and ready to welcome your cares

March 19, 2024
by Mary Lou Quinlan

Since The God Box book was published in the spring of 2012, so many readers have told me that they started their own God Boxes. I love hearing stories of children creating God Boxes and married couples joining their prayer and cares in a family box. (And my mother would be thrilled!)  A 'real' God box is a constant reminder that we are not in control and that letting go is the first step to finding comfort, hope and relief for life's worries. But did you know that many thousands have gone virtual with their God boxes? To help the many busy ...

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