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| New York Inmates Give Back to Needy |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 12/26/2001 |
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The Vietnam Veterans of America chapter at New York's maximum-security Auburn Correctional Facility crocheted 205 sets of hats and gloves for needy children this year, in addition to crafting yarn belts and nearly 200 pairs of fleece-lined leather moccasins. Inmates also raise money and make food donations. 'Knowing that there are kids who go to school without hats and scarves and just you knowing that one of them is wearing something you made them, it makes you feel good,'' said inmate Robert Ahalt, a convicted murderer and the chapter's first vice president. The children don't know where the gifts come from, but administrators take pictures of them with their gifts to send to the inmates. Some families also send notes of thanks. 'These men are still human and they have hearts. This is truly a labor of love,'' said Frank Bell, a past president of another VVA chapter who has helped the prison chapter make sure gifts get to those who need them for more than a decade. The inmates started donating food to local relief efforts 14 years ago. They added hats and scarves to their repertoire five years ago. This year, the 74 members of VVA Chapter 205 collected more than 1,500 cans and jars of food, some of it donated by some of the prison's other 1,700-plus inmates. The chapter also raised $1,800 by soliciting donations from other VVA chapters upstate, the Disabled Veterans of America and from private individuals who heard about their charity work. Chapter members contributed $295 by saving their earnings from prison jobs, which pay five to 15 cents an hour. 'They do it from the heart,'' said Rebecca McLaurin, program director at the Booker T. Washington Center in Auburn. 'Most people don't know that they do it, and they do a lot more than those people even know,'' McLaurin said. 'I know it has given me new perspectives that there is good in everyone.'' Prison officials also praise the inmates' efforts, especially considering they don't receive better treatment or a better chance in front of a parole board because of the work. Inmates can't earn 'good time'' for charitable work but can only lose it for breaking prison rules. 'The beauty of this is that usually these programs come from the top down and this one comes from the bottom up,'' said Ronald Nelson, the prison's deputy superintendent. 'These guys put it together. They make it work.'' |
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