Merry Christmas!
Christmas is still a few months away, but we get started in July — you know, Christmas in July!
We are beginning our toothpaste campaign for the inmates. Have you ever stopped to think about what a luxury toothpaste really is? I know for a fact the inmates can tell you.
One Christmas at Augusta, before it closed, Kingsway was handing out the bags you helped provide to the inmates. Someone called out, “Toothpaste! I haven’t had toothpaste since March!”
Can you imagine not having toothpaste? I can’t. It is something many of us take for granted, yet not everyone has access to it.
We are sharing this request now to help remind you as Christmas approaches. We are expecting to serve about 8,000 inmates this year, so it will take all of us working together. If each person donated just one tube of toothpaste, imagine the difference we could make.
Kingsway has been helping provide Christmas to inmates for as long as I can remember. Along with the toothpaste, we also provide a 5×8 mini legal pad and ChapStick. We used to ask churches to donate those items as well, but now we are able to order them directly, which helps take some of the responsibility off of you.
Please consider donating a tube of toothpaste. The acceptable sizes are 3 oz. to no larger than 6 oz. Please do not donate Crest with Scope, as products containing Scope have alcohol in them and are not permitted in prisons.
I would also like to let you know about our support programs for families of inmates. We currently offer a Mothers of Prisoners support group that meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Soon, we will also begin a support program for female spouses. These are support groups to remind you that you are not alone.
Thank you for helping us share hope, dignity, and the love of Christ with others this Christmas season.
Vicki Barb