Inmates’ Generosity Warms Campers’ Hearts
These are just a few of the more than 50 woman from the Cumberland County Jail who participated in the crochet project. They helped donate more than 60 blankets to Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D.
PORTLAND, Maine—Female inmates from Cumberland County Jail today donated more than 60 handmade crocheted blankets to Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. (Police Officers Striving to Create and Reinforce Dreams), a program that provides a free week of summer camp to deserving youth from all counties in Maine. Created and administered by Volunteers of America, the Maine Sheriffs’ Association and Maine D.A.R.E. Association, Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. provides positive enrichment activities for deserving youth under the leadership of Maine law enforcement and criminal justice professionals who serve as camp staff.
“This is an exceptional gift that will mean so much to our campers,” said June Koegel, president and chief executive officer of Volunteers of America Northern New England. “There is just something special about a blanket, especially when it is made just for you. Many of our youth have very little and the warmth that a blanket offers and the love from these women that went into making the blankets will mean the world to them.” According to Major Francine Breton, jail administrator, at the Cumberland County Jail, "It's a wonderful project, and what we are finding is that the women are so engaged in this positive endeavor that they are less inclined to become involved in negative aspects of incarceration."
Hope Lanza, an educational technician at the jail, stated that the inmates saw a presentation about Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. and immediately wanted to make a contribution to the program. “They were unanimous in their decision to make the blankets and started planning right away.” Lanza explained. “More than 50 inmates participated in the project. This was a perfect project for so many reasons. Two of our goals are to provide an opportunity for women to learn new skills and to give back to their communities. It is an important part of the education and healing process and can help the women cope with issues they are facing. As part of the project, women who did not know how to crochet had a chance to participate and learn. In addition, as they worked together, they made new friendships and felt a growing sense of accomplishment and self-esteem as more and more blankets were completed.”
"Children deserve nothing less than laughter and happiness,” said one inmate. “Some can’t always have that so I think it's amazing that the camp and our program get to offer a ray of sunshine! I wish that there had been programs like that when I was a kid. Who knows, if given the proper support, maybe my life would've been different. Every positive thing that impacts a child's life is forever forming their life down the right path."
Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. runs from June 12-18 at the YMCA Camp in Winthrop, Maine. If you would like to learn more about camp or help send a child to camp, please send your tax deductible donation to Volunteers of America, 14 Maine St., Suite 205, Brunswick, Maine 04011 or contact Glenn Michaels at 207-373-1140 (ext. 216) or by email at help@voanne.org.
Volunteers of America Northern New England, Inc. is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and community involvement. For more than 100 years, Volunteers of America has partnered with individuals and organizations to serve those in need. Additional information about camp and the organization is available on our website at www.voanne.org.