Completion - 5/30/05
The Tsunami Hope Chest has been completed and will be auctioned on eBay in the coming weeks. This Hope Chest has been featured on the cover of the Lee Valley Tools June 05 catalogue and Woodcraft magazine , Vol.1 #3,4 . Many thanks to Rob Lee and A.J. Hamler for their support of this project. Leading up to and during the auction , we need support from the media in promoting this charity auction. All media enquiries welcomed.

More images of this Tsunami Hope Chest , including some of the techniques used in its creation , can be seen at Australian Wood Art.

Genesis - 2/6/05
First of all, thank you for your interest in visiting this page and whatever concern you bring to helping victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. The Tsunami Hope Chest is a volunteer effort organized by the Woodworker's Website Association with two goals: raise money to help the tsunami victims while improving awareness of woodworking. It's what we call a win/win situation.

The mechanism of this effort is pretty simple. Through money donated by members of the association and people like you, we will commission a woodworking item to be made by one of our most experienced and talented members (the Hope Chest). Once the chest is completed, it will be auctioned off with all the proceeds of the sale donated to a charity focused on providing tsunami relief. If you are interested in some beginning discussions about this project, you can get started here.

At the time of this writing, we're in the process of collecting money to fund the building of the Hope Chest. If you would like to contribute, you can find the necessary information here. Nor has it been decided what exactly will be built. The woodworkers selected for this effort, Dave Shaw of Australia, along with his wife Carmel Kenyon, haven't ultimately finalized what they're making yet. A lot will depend on the amount of money raised during this initial stage of the project. If you don't know Dave and Carmel, treat yourself to a visit to they're website.

We also haven't decided how we're going to sell the Hope Chest or which charity will receive the proceeds of the sale. The deadline for fund raising is set for midnight, February 19th, 2005. Once the final cost is determined, Dave will formalize the design and commence posting regular updates of the construction process, helping to educate countless woodworkers. This is the second part of the win/win benefit made possible by the Hope Chest project.

In the meantime, you can help this effort many ways. Tell your friends and family and send them the link to this page. If you are a webmaster, you can spread the word by installing a link on your homepage or elsewhere on your site. If you represent a large organization and want to help, send me an email, or start your own Hope Chest project. The need for aiding the victms isn't likely to end any time soon. And since we're still collecting money to fund construction of the chest, once again, here is the link for contributing.

Update - 2/23/05
Artist in residence, Don Paine, has drawn one of his famous cartoons depicting the fund-raising effort (almost $3,000!) and featuring a concept drawing of the Hope Chest. In the background, from left to right, are Larry Norton, Gail O'Rourke and Alden Miller. Thanks Don!

We also have a better drawing of the Hope Chest which arose from a collaboration between Don, Dave Shaw and Carmel Kenyon, the makers of the chest. Construction is slated to begin soon!

Update - 3/5/05
Dave has started construction. To follow along, start here.

Update - 3/11/05
The chest takes shape here.

Update - 3/15/05
It's even pretty upside down!

Update - 3/18/05
Dovetail drawers anyone?

Update - 3/21/05
The drawers get installed.

Update - 3/23/05
Wooden hinges!

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