The following post was submitted by Ardyce Harris, Jail Ministry volunteer:
Several years ago, when an inmate was asked what gift she would like her children to get for Christmas, she quickly replied, “Blankets! Blankets of love!” Those words continued to ring in my ears, and the following Christmas, the Blankets of Love Project was born.
After getting approval from jail staff, jail volunteers gathered information from inmates including favorite colors or themes, and the age of the child or recipient of a blanket. By watching for sales and using coupons, volunteers went shopping to find fleece fabric that closely matched the requests.
Volunteers then prepared the fabric by trimming uneven edges and sometimes cut the fabric in strips so blankets were ready to be tied by inmates. Names were also taped onto each blanket to ease disbursement.
Separate workdays for men and women were scheduled to avoid distraction. Trained and approved jail volunteers happily assisted and visited with inmates, often getting the opportunity to share God’s love with the inmates.
A wide range of emotion is displayed by inmates as they move from shame and guilt for being incarcerated over the Christmas holiday, to profound joy and excitement because of being able to hand-make a gift that their child or loved one will hold tightly and cherish for a long time. Tears are shed, and blankets are held close, as if to infuse with love. Inmates are so proud of their handiwork! They have expressed deep gratitude, and are reminded that God wants them and their loved ones to know that He loves them!
Last year, a church member offered to embroider the name and a Scripture reference, Psalm 91, on a corner of each blanket. Cards were available to be included with the blankets, and a sticker that read “This gift made possible through area churches in hopes that you know how much JESUS LOVES YOU today and in the years ahead” was placed on the package. This year, we are hoping to offer an assortment of age appropriate Christian books or DVDs for inmates to choose from to include in their package.
Church and community volunteers then gathered to wrap or package the gifts and organize deliveries. Drivers have another opportunity to assure the family/recipient of the love that went into this gift, and the love God has for them, that He would send His only Son to be born in a manger, live among men, and die on a cross for their salvation!
The Regeneration Center is partnering with the Blankets of Love Project this Christmas season. If you would like to ease the pain of separation at Christmas and share the love of Christ with these families, you may give towards the cost of the materials by writing ‘Blankets of Love’ in your check memo and/or volunteer to assist with shopping, preparing fabric, wrapping, or deliveries.
Contact Ardyce Harris at ardyceharris@gmail.com or 320.766.2019