The History of the Holiday Trees at Shriners Children’s New England

For more than 30 years, the holiday trees at Shriners Children’s New England have been adorned with intricate, colorful origami models – a beloved tradition that brings joy and wonder to patients, families and staff alike.

The Origin of the Tradition

The story begins with Bob and Eunice Stack, dedicated members of OrigamiUSA (OUSA), the national origami society in the United States. Known for their skill and passion for the art form, the Stacks taught origami at the Museum of Natural History in New York City and at OUSA conventions. In the 1990s, they extended their generosity to Shriners Children’s New England in Springfield, Massachusetts, where they volunteered their time teaching origami to patients and families.

The couple’s creativity blossomed into a new tradition. With the help of patients, families, and donations from OUSA members, Bob and Eunice began decorating a 15-foot holiday tree in the Shriners Children’s lobby with origami models. Some of the models were folded by patients and families, while others were crafted by the Stacks themselves or contributed by OUSA members. Over time, the tree’s colorful display became a symbol of community, creativity and care.

A Shared Passion

In the early 2000s, as Bob and Eunice began planning for retirement, they invited the Valley Folders, a local origami group from western Massachusetts, to help continue the tradition. The Valley Folders, whose name playfully references both a folding technique and their location in the Pioneer Valley, had been meeting in towns across the region for years. Among them was Janet Yelle, a passionate origami artist who had joined the group in 1989.

Janet’s love for origami led her to travel and teach at origami events in New York City, Boston, Japan, England, Scotland and Canada. A member of the OUSA board and a designer of her own origami models, Janet’s expertise was a perfect fit for the holiday tree project at Shriners Children’s. “Bob and Eunice always wanted very shiny and colorful models for the trees,” Janet recalled. In 2009, she decided to create something truly special: a "Train and Tracks" model, originally designed by world-renowned folder Toshikazu Kawasaki. Using Japanese foil for an extra shimmer and adding a bit of cotton for the smokestack’s “smoke” – an idea suggested by Bob – Janet’s train became a staple of the holiday display. It has appeared on the tree every year since.

Passing the Torch

As the years passed, the original 15-foot tree was replaced with two 9-foot trees, and Janet’s role shifted from helper to coordinator. Around a decade ago, Bob and Eunice officially retired to New York City, but they continued to help with the tree decoration whenever they could. Janet fondly recalled Bob’s enduring enthusiasm: “Bob was still climbing the ladder at the age of 80.” By 2017, health challenges made it difficult for the Stacks to travel, but Janet kept them connected by sending photos of the trees each year.

The Stacks’ legacy lives on, even after their passing. Both Bob and Eunice lived into their 90s, leaving behind a tradition that remains cherished by many. “They were wonderful, generous, dear people,” Janet reflected. “I miss his singing as he decorated and the sweet twinkle in her eye. They always said their hearts remained tied to the children at Shriners Children’s.”

The Tradition Continues

Today, the legacy of the holiday trees is alive and well, thanks to Janet and a dedicated team of six to eight volunteers. Each year, on the weekend after Thanksgiving, the team carefully unboxes the stored origami models – some of them decades old, folded by the Stacks themselves – and begins the joyful task of decorating the trees. New models are added annually, and Janet’s "Train and Tracks" model, complete with its cotton smokestack, continues to be a centerpiece of the display.

“Decorating the holiday trees is very special,” Janet shared. “Our group enjoys folding new models for the trees and doing the decorating. It is a wonderful way to share the joy of origami and bring happiness and smiles to everyone. It means so much to us to carry on the tradition started by the Stacks, and it’s truly an honor for us to do this for the patients and staff every year.”