Anger. Isolation. Uncertainty. Dread. Fear. These were the emotions I felt as my first Christmas behind prison walls approached. As far as I was concerned, there would be no Christmas in prison.  But when that first Christmas arrived, my view dramatically changed by a simple act of kindness that was shown to me through the sock project.

As I sat in my cell with the new socks that had been given to me, I was greatly humbled. I began to reflect of Christmas in the past. I had taken everything for granted that I had been given. Those things soon lost their value to me and nothing was ever satisfying. Yet that first Christmas in prison, through a stranger’s act of kindness and compassion, I was feeling humility, gratefulness, and joy for the first time since I could remember! The socks that had been given to me now served as a two-fold purpose. They kept my feet warm through the coldness of prison, and they were used as a tool to bring the spirit of Christmas back to the coldness of my heart. To some inmates, they were just socks, but to me, I found Christmas in a sock!

I have never forgotten that first Christmas in prison, or the eleven others I spent there. Every year the sock project has served as a reminder and a motivator to me of how a simple act of kindness can greatly impact those it reaches.

I was released from prison on May 31^st.  This will be my first Christmas at home. I am already thinking about how much those white socks meant to me and how I can be a part of giving back to the inmates this year! You too can be blessed by joining with Prison to Purpose’s “Socks and T-shirts for Christmas” project to those spending it behind walls. – Jennifer Smith (former PAL inmate)

Here’s how it works:

• Purchase all white socks and/or t-shirts and ship to P2P or you can order online at our Wal-Mart Wish List registry or Target Wish List Registry. (Search for registry: P2P Socks)
• If you would like to purchase t-shirts in bulk, click here to order.
• These will be delivered to the inmates in mid-December.

Things to Know:

• Socks must be ALL WHITE (no color on the toes or heels of the socks).
• T-shirts must be ALL WHITE, no pockets and ONLY round necklines.
• Each must be packaged in its original wrapping.
• Purchase socks as “One Size Fits All” and t-shirts in sizes Large – 4X.

Click here to download a printable Socks & T-Shirts for Inmates flyer.

If you received the latest P2P newsletter in the mail, there’s something special you need to know… Your newsletter was folded with care by an inmate in the PAL program. Each inmate took a few minutes to read the newsletter and then began folding them to be stuffed in envelopes for mailing. We are so grateful for their help and for their heart of service to the Lord! Click here to download the newsletter.

If you did not receive this newsletter, but would like to be on future mailings, click here to sign up.

“It makes me feel normal and helps me know that God loves and cares about the small things–even my feet!”

During October – December 10th we have the chance to invest in a practical way to inmates at the McPherson Unit. This is a perfect project for a church or small group–or for anyone who has a heart for those in prison and wants to bless them this Christmas!

Mission:
Provide NEW t-shirts and socks for every woman in the McPherson Unit (900 inmates) for Christmas. (Approximately 3,000 pairs of socks and 900 t-shirts.)

Here’s how it works:

• Purchase all white socks and/or t-shirts.
• Connect with Area Coordinator* or ship packages to Prison to Purpose.
• Socks will be delivered to women on the compound mid-December.

Things to Know:

• Socks must be ALL WHITE (no color on the toes or heals of the socks).
• T-shirts must be ALL WHITE, no pockets and ONLY round necklines.
• Each must be packaged in its original wrapping.
• Purchase t-shirts sizes Large – 4X.
• Purchase socks as One Size Fits All.

Area Coordinators:
Northwest Arkansas – Lori Woodward // 479-619-5413
Southwest Missouri – Ann Bollinger // 417-451-4760
Little Rock, Arkansas – Gaile Baxley // 501-860-0012
Midwest Arkansas – Lynn Leonard // 870-919-8852
*Area Coordinators will deliver your packages to the McPherson Unit.

If you would prefer to order socks and t-shirts online, we have created registries at Wal-Mart and Target.

Click here to purchase socks & t-shirts from Target.

Click here to purchase t-shirts from Wal-Mart.