Churches and other organizations reach out to give gifts to the children of inmates in this season of giving:
Group ensures inmates’ children aren’t forgotten
By Yamiche Alcindor in the Washington Post
Ronnie Boyd, 42, was at a crossroads when he walked out of the Arlington County jail this time last year. His release meant he would be able to see his two children for the holidays, but it also meant that because he was unemployed, he had few gifts to offer them.
Then he learned of Offender Aid and Restoration‘s Project Christmas Angel, which provides gifts for children of inmates or those recently released from jail. Through the Arlington agency’s program, Boyd’s son and daughter received gifts with handwritten notes from their father last year.
“The most important thing for me was to see the smiles on their faces, knowing that I was able to make them happy even under these circumstances,” Boyd said.
. . .
Sponsors such as the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and others have donated hundreds of gifts this year. As part of the annual event, volunteers gather to wrap the gifts and then hand deliver or mail them to children. This year, volunteers will gather at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Arlington.