I’ve attached my spreadsheet so you can see what is going into each sack.  Each inmate will also receive a bookmarker in his sack.   As you can see from the letter, this has been sponsored for many years – over 30- by the chaplains’ group.  I am the current president of the group.

I plan to wear my ugly Christmas sweater and my reindeer antlers when I help to hand out the sacks.  It gives the guys a chuckle and something to talk about later.

For most of the history of the program, volunteers were able to donate homemade fudge to go into the sacks.  Covid ended that.  No more loose peanuts either.  Popcorn balls are probably the most desired item in the sack.  I think the sacks this year are brown.  Last year they were white, but we had trouble getting everything into them so this year the sacks are larger.  They are plain paper.

Also in the past we were able to include drawings from little children.  That isn’t allowed either.  There is a security danger of drugs in the crayons.  Kids can no longer send drawings to their parents.

Now you know about the Christmas sacks!

Mary Montoya