| CCCF inmates sew 1,4000 stockings for Christmas gifts |
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| Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart, Inc. |
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Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart, Inc. is a non-profit group that assists charitable organizations in Clackamas County. They provide the county's neediest clients who range from newborns to senior citizens, with a stocking filled with gifts for the holidays.
Volunteers, including Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) inmates this year, sewed stockings throughout the year using fabric and other materials donated by local businesses and individuals.
The organization formed in 1997 and gave away 500 stockings for Christmas that year. Now, with the help of the community, it provides over 2,500 stockings to over 20 agencies. Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart is based fully on volunteer support. All time, materials, supplies and stocking stuffers are donated.
Each October, volunteers pick-up stockings and fill them with basic items such as toothpaste, socks or gloves. The stockings are then sorted by age and gender.
This year, in a time of increased need, the organization hit it big when they sought help from CCCF. The women applied, just like a normal job, and nine inmates were selected to participate. Using a production line technique, these nine inmates sewed over 1,400 stockings in just three months.
Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart was thrilled with the number of stockings CCCF sewed and the nine inmates were presented with certificates of participation and a big personal thanks.
"What you’ve done here is really a Godsend," Marcelle Tebo told the inmates. "This has just been wonderful of you, the organization just can’t thank you enough."
For the nine inmates involved, the opportunity to give back to a community they once may have victimized through criminal activity was a huge incentive to see the project through.
"I’m proud of myself and my co-workers," said inmate Shasta Hernandez, "because we did something to make the outside world happier."
"Everything was fun about it," said inmate Michelle Palin. "I love sewing, and it’s something I probably wouldn’t have learned on my own. It’s something I’ll use for my family for sure."
In 2008, 2,459 holiday stockings were sewed, filled and given to 20 agencies and non-profits in the Clackamas County. The biggest needs are toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, mild body soap, deodorant, razors, hats and gloves, socks, brushes and combs and baby items. Call 503-632-0577 for details and get ready to help out on next years giving opportunity.
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