LAKEPORT — For the second holiday season in a row, a seventh-grader is initiating a drive to provide holiday cards to inmates at Hill Road Correctional Facility. Also receiving cards are women at the domestic violence shelter, members of Alcohol and Other Drugs Services and New Beginnings, a rehabilitation center. Recipients use the cards to send to family and friends during the holiday season.
The student, Cristian White, 12, attends Terrace Middle School in Lakeport, and is collecting cards. But it”s not part of a school project. For many years, he wanted to help out the community, especially during the holidays. Last year, his mother, Carrie White, thought he was old enough to handle the responsibility, and they brainstormed about what sort of charity Cristian could take on.
“We thought about a coat drive, but didn”t have the room at the house, so I talked with my supervisor, who is very community-involved, and she said, ?why not do a card drive,”” White said.
To get the cards, he dropped off a collection box again this year at Catfish Books and asked classmates to donate. In 2006, about 300 holiday cards were sent off to inmates” loved ones.
This year, Cristian has collected 200 cards. The cut-off date for dropping off cards has been extended to Dec. 17 in the hopes of getting many more. To date, only $10 has been collected for postage. Stamps are also needed.
White said inmates really benefit from the cards because often it”s the only resource during the holidays to connect with family. “It also provides a way for them to improve their literacy.”
“I was in jail at one point myself, during the holidays, and was given cards. I thought how cool that was to be able to send out cards,” White said.
She said the inmates have been very grateful, sending thank-you cards and nicknaming Cristian, “The Christmas Card Boy.”
“Inmates asked, ?are they going to do the card drive again this year?” We were hoping the community would also remember it from last year and we”d get lots of donations, but of course it”s the inmates who remember it the most,” White said.
“The loose cards we get we will donate to the women at New Beginnings, and we”ll be calling Hilltop Recovery to see if they need any.”
“For the inmates, it”s really important. You”re in there staring at four walls. A lot of times family is far away, and it”s very depressing during the holidays, especially if you don”t have money to make a phone call. To have someone care enough about you to bring you cards, it boosts your self esteem. I know it boosted my self esteem,” White said.
Cards will be distributed next week at various agencies, and inmates will get their cards on Tuesday, just in time to send them out before Christmas. Cards, stamps, and money for postage are accepted year-round, and White said her son plans to continue the drive in the future.
“It”s special; I hope he keeps doing it. When he gets to high school, then my other son will be old enough and maybe he can help. Cristian really liked reading the thank-you”s, there were a couple of really touching letters,” White said.
To donate, drop off cards at Catfish Books or contact Carrie White at 245-8374.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
