For the tenth year a collection of cardboard boxes have been decorated and filled with Halloween offerings. For the first time, they are being sold around town.

This year, the boxes have been decorated by members of Newtown United LLC, along with a few local artists, and are being sold for $10 each as a fundraiser for FAITH Food Pantry, the Salvation Army Food Pantry at Newtown Social Services, and Ann’s Place.

Rosemary Rau is the creator of the seasonal offerings, which started, she said, when she found cardboard boxes at a craft store a decade ago and envisioned tiny homes. Part of their inception in 2004, said Mrs Rau, was that serendipitous moment while the other was a rekindling of the New England tradition of “Booing” neighbors and friends. Think Secret Santa, but during October: people can surprise friends, co-workers, even strangers with a small gift. Mrs Rau’s boxes are meant to help people do just that.

“I saw the boxes, and envisioned a house,” Mrs Rau said. The boxes are 8½ inches wide by 5½ inches deep and 9 inches tall. Found at craft stores, they begin life as cardboard carrypacks similar to those used for McDonald’s Happy Meals — four sides form a rectangle, while two upper flaps are held in place thanks to tabbed sides and a fold-in handle.

Mrs Rau brought the boxes to life by painting haunted houses and Halloween scenes on them, then filled them with candies and small novelties. She began creating the boxes for family and friends, she said, giving them away as gifts.

Additional people have helped with painting, decorating, filling, and distribution over the years. The project is now a fundraiser through Newtown United, LLC, the same group that brought a pair of “Artful Bras & Boxers” events to Edmond Town Hall in 2010 and 2011, followed by a Halloween marketplace the following year.

A few years ago she shared her idea with Newtown Woman’s Club, who began selling the boxes and then dividing the proceeds among a number of groups.

“We divided funds among Kevin’s Community Center, Booth Library, a woman’s shelter,” said Mrs Rau. “Most of the money stayed local.”

The Boo Boxes have continued to serve in many capacities, from charities, school supply programs, and thank-you packages for servicemen and women, to disaster relief and relief efforts for children and the “Make You Smile” program at The Paul Newman Hole in the Wall Camp for children.

“A group of us dressed as all manner of witches delivered 150 mini Boos to the camp” one year, said Mrs Rau. “We had a fabulous time handing out the Boos and then performed a Halloween show replete with brooms and bats. The kids loved it and as a surprise thank you, sang a special song to us. It’s was so touching.”

Newtown United has arranged for 100 Boo Boxes this year; all proceeds will be divided between Newtown’s two food pantries and the Danbury-based nonprofit organization that offers support to greater Danbury residents affected by any form of cancer.

For the first time, the boxes are being made available publicly.

“We want everyone to enjoy this opportunity,” Marie Sturdevant, treasurer for Newtown United, said October 10. “They have always been so well received.”

Rosemary Rau said residents will hear from Newtown United again before the end of the year.

“This is part one of a two-part fundraiser we are doing this season,” she said. “Part two is coming soon.”

This year’s boxes have again been decorated by Mrs Rau and friends. In addition, Mrs Rau — a curator who has chaired a number of Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) art shows and sales — enlisted the talent of a few SCAN members to decorate Boo Boxes. Among those who donated their time to paint a Boo Box or two were Theresa Caputo, Pam Danneman, Glen River, Marianne Scanlon, and Lisa Wilvonseder-Greto.

“This was a great symbol of how the community comes together,” said Mrs Rau. “These are fabulous artists, who all jumped at the chance to volunteer their talent.”

No two Boo Boxes are the same, and there are a number of variations on similar themes, from spooky to whimsical. One adult Boo Box features a creepy skull, while another offers autumnal colored plastic flowers. Playful Frankenstein-style creatures adorn some boxes, pumpkins and/or ghosts are found on others. Still others have flowers fashioned from cupcake liners.

Each Boo Box, said Mrs Sturdevant, contains “a little s’mores kit, a small bag of treats — not a lot, and a small novelty.” Boxes have been created for children and adult recipients.

Until earlier this week, Boo Boxes were available at the Art In Residence pop-up gallery at 102 Church Hill Road. The Boxes debuted from the gallery space which had been set up for the inaugural Sandy Hook Village ArtWalk.

They are now available for purchase at Avancé Esthétiques, 228 South Main Street (within Sand Hill Plaza); C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; Newtown Social Services, on the first/lower floor of Town Hall South at 3 Main Street (use the building’s lower entrance to access the office) and Union Savings Bank’s Newtown branch at 1 Commerce Road

They are also available directly from Mrs Rau (203-426-2226) or Mrs Sturdevant (203-740-2733). Contact either woman to set up a delivery.