by Carol Miller
Concord Prison Outreach Inc. invites you to participate in the annual Holiday Gift Bag Project that remembers our incarcerated neighbors at both NCC and MCI Concord. These gifts send a positive message of hope as stated in one of the many notes we received after the distribution of gift bags in 2008: “I wish to thank you for the Gift bag that I received today… as an indigent inmate here I do not have the resources to be able to provide for myself even the most basic needs for everyday living… So thank you for all you have done for a person you never met!”
Of all the gifts you buy this holiday these may be the most appreciated. For some of these neighbors, it may be the only gift they receive. Each of the 1600 inmates receives a gift bag containing:
1 bar of deodorant soap
1 6-oz. tube of toothpaste
1 opaque stick pen: non-retractable
1 writing pad (6×9 or 5×8, no wire)
1 pair of white crew socks (no tube socks, knee highs, or tennis socks)
1 plastic bottle shampoo (15-oz. max)
1 stick deodorant (no roll-ons)
1 pocket calendar (no wire)
A holiday greeting card (Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah; no religious cards), signed with first name(s) only. Homemade cards are especially appreciated.
Donations of the above items are welcome in any quantity. They do not have to be in sets. Cash donations are also welcome. Your tax-deductible check may be made out to CPO, Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 383, Concord, MA 01742.
Adult volunteers are needed to assist with the project weekdays beginning Monday Nov. 30 from 9-12:30. In addition there are two evening sessions: Wed., Dec 2nd and Tues., Dec. 8th from 7-9 PM. Please call Beverly Duncan (978-562-5075) or Carol Miller (978-369-3755) to sign up for the evening sessions and/or for more information. We especially hope that every inmate can receive a greeting card with a personal touch. Please remember that no last names or addresses should be included on the cards.
Gift bag items may be delivered to:
Trinity Episcopal Church 81 Elm St., Concord at the River St. entrance (between Elm St. & Main St.) from Nov. 30 through Dec. 6