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http://www.dailyrecord.com/news/articles/news10-Books4martha.htm


10/23/04 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
Book drive under way for prison
Morristown shop owner collecting for shipment to Stewart, fellow inmates

By Ed Carroll, Daily Record

MORRISTOWN -- Martha Stewart and her fellow inmates at the federal prison camp in Alderson, W.Va., may receive a shipment of books, thanks to an idea from Melody McGinley-Whitelaw, owner of the Main Event by Melody catering shop.

Morris families wishing to donate are asked to drop off gently used books at the catering shop, 80 Washington St., between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today.

McGinley-Whitelaw said she called the prison, spoke with its education director and was told that inmates would most appreciate books on culture and history, as well as light fiction.

Ten percent of the prison population is Hispanic, McGinley-Whitelaw was told, so books in Spanish would be particularly welcome.

New books, ironically, are not as useful. The prison can accept gifts up to a certain dollar value, and new books, which are more costly, affect that limit dramatically.



McGinley-Whitelaw said she was told to send no cookbooks because the inmates would be likely to become hungry or dissatisfied with prison fare, the prison education director told McGinley-Whitelaw.

Ed Carroll can be reached at ecarroll@gannett.com

To me this is good news!
In the grand scheme of things it may be small...but as I said before MSs incarcaration can help our cause and is already starting to.
It was what first made me aware (via PTO) as to how much the system is is need of reform!

I often questioned the point of the "toys" in the visiting area.

This would be another good idea to go along with the above...to establish some sort of "toy drive" to donate toys to not only Alderson, but all federal facilities! The toys and games help incarcerated parents stay close to their children while visiting and helps build a stronger relationship with the parent that must be absent for the time being!

If this group/person accomplished a book drive...they might be able to get a toy drive going as well!

Excellent idea.
As it gets closer to Christmas maybe we could try and organise something like this country wide.
But how?

Also I have no experience of visiting. How many toys are needed? Are there lots of children during visiting?

I often questioned the point of the "toys" in the visiting area.

This would be another good idea to go along with the above...to establish some sort of "toy drive" to donate toys to not only Alderson, but all federal facilities! The toys and games help incarcerated parents stay close to their children while visiting and helps build a stronger relationship with the parent that must be absent for the time being!

If this group/person accomplished a book drive...they might be able to get a toy drive going as well!

I just spoke to Melody, owner of the Main Event by Melody catering shop, who organized this book drive!

She is such a sweet, bubbly woman! What a great lady and I am glad I made that call!

I let her know I seen this article and we talked about how she came up with the idea and succeeded in making it happen. She has great determination...and will conquer! She said she has about 2000 books that have been donated...and it's turning out to be a success story!

I let her know the reason I was asking was...that many of the toy rooms in the visiting areas could use alittle help as well. She too thought that was a great idea..and will be willing to look into it!

I will surely post more...if this does become another success story!

Actually, Alderson has a fantastic childrens center. But I'm sure they can always use new toys!!.

Diane, thats great that you called this lady!! 2000 books!!! WOW!!!

In my experience, all prisons could use donations of children's toys and books for the visiting rooms. But be SURE to use an organization that contacts the prison in advance and makes sure it's O.K. I have been informed, in the past, that the BOP policy prevents any family members of inmates from donating such things. I have been successful in getting church groups to organize a toy/book drive and donating the items through the chaplain. One time, though, the chaplain took all the donations for the USP and gave them to the camp, where his wife worked. The church was great and just organized another collection for the USP. Zelda

Zelda

That is exactly how she accomplished the book drive, and would go about finding information on the toys. It would not be organized by family of prisoners as she has no relation to the system. From what I gathered, she is a successful business woman concerned after the news of Martha.

I'm hopeful she will make progress with this...and have another success story to share!

This is an excellent example of how the publicity Martha has received will benefit all inmates. Those books will be there long after she is gone!

Chrisa,

Wonder if Martha has volunteered for the Yarn Project at Alderson? When I left there they were in serious need of more donated yarn.

Hmmm......Vicki, that sounds like something else we can check into!!

It's a great project, and I know it can use a boost. My crochet hook helped to keep me sane when I was locked up! :)