OK California, the New York forum has got something going in this area.

Ken stated there, that a CA inmate has to get permission to recieve and send the approval to the sender.

Now with that AND what Pamela talked about in another forum with the problem with her man and PTO, I thought this might be a way of getting the guys involved "with" PTO.

Something like this: your man will choose an inmate that hasn't any contact with the outside world. Those that are willing to send a package will list there name, here in this thread (mailing information via PM). One would be WD to your man and he will give the information to the inmate, apply for approval and send to you.

Maybe Ken could enlighten if a single address like The Bicycle Shop could be used to more then one inmate at the same prison, and incase others didn't want there address known?

My store could be used as an outreach Christmas program and shipped from anywhere, by using a shipping lable, I would think?

This would be a wonderful project and I would be willing to contribute, if you could find out the who, what, when, and where! I will check with my husband about folks in Alabama as well.

My church does Christmas in August where they collect supplies to send to missionaries, but do it in August so the stuff will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas. Just keep me posted and I'll do what I can to help!

One other note along these line - my husband was in the county jail this past Christmas and the jail allowed churches to donate items to the inmates for Christmas and for many, that was all they got or were allowed to get. It meant the world to him to receive a present (hygeine products and fresh fruit as well as a Bible) from complete strangers, just to know that somebody cared enough to take the effort.

That would be great, Frank always talks about those that have no one or the $ just isn't there to recieve any help. That is a great idea. I'm sure I could find a few people to help out with a couple packages!
Keep us up to speed
KMEG

B-Ray, I love the idea...Let's keep going on this. I have one question though that might cause a problem for me, but maybe I'm reading your post wrong. Would I have to send that person, or would Vic have to give that person my address to get permission? He would absolutely flip if I gave my address out, I promised I wouldn't from this point forward, BUT I can still try to persuade him.
I know the inmates in Virginia are not allowed to receive ANYTHING except a letter or card with no more than 5 pages inside. It has to be mailed with only one stamp on it too, or they will send it back.

I would love to do something for those young men down in Alabama, which JNV512 posted about. It sounds more than just awful there.

Anyway, I'll keep checking back...

Pamela, as I was typing the idea is when that possiblity about not wanting an address known came to mind.

Then a return address lable came to mind and I though of my store address. It wouldn't matter where a package was mailed from with the store return address I don't think?

Using one address would mean all the approvals would come here. I guess I would just scan and email the approval to the person wanting to do this.

I just thought of another entity that has been dormant for many years (lack of funds) that was international and this just might bring it into the present? I'll get back on that one!

I might need to drive to DVI, Tracy, CA (State Prison) and talk to them and see what this is all about from there point of view. It's a 30 minute drive from here.

I hate to speak for anyone but there were a couple of people that had PO box Numbers that have offered in the past to let people use who were having mail trouble at certain prisons. Maybe they will offer up again?

Also if you did not want to send in a package yourself perhaps several people could combine items and have a central gathering office(address) divy up the items and ship them off. That way you can donate items but not neccessairly have to be on the approve mailer list.

OH I LOVE THIS IDEA!
I would definitely like to do it...but you're right I really wouldn't want to use my return address B-Ray, so if we could use your store address that would be fabulous. You thought of everything.

I didn't even realize that had evolved on our NY forum!

I think the idea of B-Ray's of using referrals from PTO's friends and love ones is good. But I think we have more people willing to send in Christmas Care packages than referrals offered. Maybe or maybe not.

I went to our dear PenPal Princess Soraya's Web site and I think her list of penpals might be a good place to find prisoners in need of a care packages.

I will post the list she has and perhaps we can chose which we would like to adopt and let others know so the same prisoner wouldn't get three packages and someone get none. I also think listing thier names is ok because they are already listed on the web anyway.

We would of course need to check and make sure the address of the prisoner is current since Soraya's been off line and some of her data may be outdated. Prisoner's move around and sometimes the addresses might be wrong.

Also I think we should spoil her special friend Darrell. Just because he knows Soroya. LOL Everyone that sends a package has to send him something.

http://www.prison.netfirms.com/state/california.htm

LIst
Joseph Rodriguez
Jovanni Shawn James
Steven Ainsworth
Mark Daegre
T. Alexander
Craig Womack
Eric Robinson
Sean Thompson
Terrill Ross
Michael C. Debaets
Eric Robinson
William Thunder Rush
Michael K. Cornelius
Ray Callahan
Kenneth Jones
Norman Ivory
Tony Perez
William Nelson
William Fletcher
Philip Costa
Ron Crosby
Bruce White

I would love to try and see how many members might actually be able to come up with a name or two of someone their loved one might know in prison. I think B-Ray if you posted this in one of the main forums, you could get it going. Perhaps give a time line that the members must submit a name and maybe along with the name, they should give the rules of receiving packages, so we know right off, if approval is needed.

I like the idea of the return label, B-Ray!!

Pamela

I'm starting to get some responses and replies to the Christmas Package Program. Thanks B-Ray for fowarding the information to me.

These guys are from Soraraya's Pen Pal site. If you have a name to add let me know.

If you are interested in contributing to this but want to stay annoymous e-mail me.

torrey_pines@hotmail.com

Each prison has different rules but if the box size requirement is;
Max ht 12", Max width 14" Max lenght 24" the perfect box would be computer paper boxes. If you know anyone that works in an office tell them to save them for you.

Ho...... ho...... ho..

I've asked David to make a "sticky" in PTO news.......... but that was a few days ago. So, the return address that's working:

The Bicycle Shop
Christmas Package Program
(your PTO handle)
4425 E Main St
Stockton, CA 95215

Names off a list is cool, as Torrey is doing. Another idea I first had was, for your guy/gal to pick an inmate(s) that most likely won't get anything and let them handle getting the paper work to YOU. Make sure your guy/gal picks one that has the odds of being there to recieve.

This came to mind, when some of you said, "how do I explain PTO" and I started thinking of a way to get them involved with PTO from the inside.

Using my address on the paper work & package means, the recieving inmate doesn't have your home address.

I DON'T mind forwarding information, as I'm doing with Torrey. Two of her letter has been return, meaning a mailing cost and no inmate. One sent a 2000 yr list to compair, but stated the list changes each quarter, so another contact has to be made.

What every you want to do, is COOL!

DOes anyone want to do an early Christmas Package for
Joseph Rodriguez ??????????
ship address
Mule Creek State Prison
T26872 C-11-135L 4001 State Highway 104
P.O. Box 409099 Ione, CA. 95640
Ione, CA. 95640

Contact B-Ray he has the list and approval form for the guy.

This appoval list expires October 1st so you will have to hurry if this man is going to get a package.

If you can't make the 10/1 deadline, write the inmate at the address Torrey posted for the 4th quarter package list and use my return address, I'll scan and forward it via email.