Amanda Faidley Layton collected metal lunch boxes, displaying her collection of more than 80 atop her kitchen cabinets.

On Nov. 17, Layton’s family and friends will gather at Out of Our Minds Art Studio, 65 S. Lea St., Macungie, to celebrate Layton’s memory and raise money for a project honoring Layton’s wish to help those with cancer and those who cared for them.

Layton succumbed to cancer in July.

“Mandee’s Lunchbox” will provide gift cards for food and treats to cancer patients and their families and caregivers, an effort inspired by Layton who often had a coffee or doughnut before her own cancer treatments, her mother Angela Faidley, of Macungie, said.

“The treats helped Amanda to feel better,” Faidley said in an interview at Out of Our Minds Art Studio, the business she owns.

Layton gave thought to how she could help others who faced cancer. Mandee’s Lunchbox is the result.

“It’s not curing cancer,” Faidley said, however she hopes her efforts will bring a little smile, a little treat, to those who need it.

The fundraiser, scheduled 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 17, will feature raffles for gift baskets, a television, a rug, movie tickets, baseball tickets and a variety of other prizes as well as appetizers and food from area markets, Faidley said. All raffle chance tickets are $1.

“I wanted it so everybody had a chance and nobody has to bring a small fortune,” to participate in the event, Faidley said. “I’m a product of the 1970s. Everybody should win. Everybody should have a chance.”

Faidley also tapped 20 artists to paint tin lunch boxes to be raffled. Each box features an original work reflecting the personality of the artist, Faidley said. Only one rule was given.

“I asked them not to do her face or something sad,” Faidley said.

“Amanda was an amazing lady who had a tremendous fight against her cancer,” Matthew T. Campbell, M.D., M.S., Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, where Layton underwent treatment, said in a recent email. Faidley plans to share Mandee’s Lunchbox gift cards and lunch boxes locally as well as with patients at the cancer center in Texas where Layton received treatment.

The boxes submitted so far feature a cartoon poodle, landscapes, a bird and other designs. More are expected, including boxes displaying a sunflower, the tree of life and a dragonfly.

Artists who painted boxes include several of Faidley’s students and an author and illustrator from New York.

Proceeds will allow Faidley to give gift cards, each encased in a miniature tin lunch box, to cancer patients and their families in honor of her daughter.

Faidley as well as Layton’s three siblings will attend the fundraiser. The event is open to all ages.

Meanwhile, donations of everything from gift cards to picnic baskets continue to arrive. Friends, Faidley’s students, members of the business community and complete strangers continue to drop by with donations and to show their support.

“It humbles you, that’s for sure,” Faidley said.

The fundraiser also allows Faidley to direct her energy in a positive way to help others.

Faidley has held fundraisers for the Allentown Rescue Mission in the recent past and takes her paints and talents to area assisted living homes and adult day care programs as well as the Allentown Rescue Mission to encourage others to incorporate art in their lives.

“It comes back to you tenfold,” Faidley said.