Staff at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center shared their gratitude by blessing others in the city of Wasco with Thanksgiving food baskets Nov. 14-18. In all, 187 food baskets were delivered to families in need.
Referrals were received from the Wasco Senior Center and the Wasco Union Elementary School District.
It was the largest amount of referrals received to date which only motivated the Warden to step up to the challenge. Various departments volunteered to participate in a departmental food basket decorating contest, resulting in 32 beautiful food baskets that were delivered to senior citizens with the rest being assembled by the Community Resource Manager and staff. The other Thanksgiving food baskets were assembled with food from the institutional food drive bin.
Acting CRM Lt. T. Costa helps distribute food and direct traffic in Fairmead.
Warden L. Bird and acting CRM Lt. T. Costa distribute meals in Fairmead.
VSP Warden L. Bird, ISU Lt. E. Guthery, Lt. T. Costa and CRM staff deliver holiday food to the Chowchilla Skilled Nursing Facility.
Valley State Prison (VSP) and Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) provided holiday goodie bags and pies to the Chowchilla Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility on Nov. 17. VSP and CCWF provided the 47 residents a Thanksgiving treat.
VSP donated six turkeys, five hams and 20 pies to Fairmead Community and Friends (FCF) Nov. 21 for their holiday meal giveaway. VSP staff also volunteered during food distribution, giving away over 200 full meals to those in need.
Fairmead is an economically disadvantaged community. The town was established more than a century ago and is home to residents who care deeply about its future. Fourteen years ago, Barbara Nelson organized FCF and it continues making Fairmead a better community.
All donated items were purchased with funds raised through various staff and incarcerated fundraisers.
“Thanksgiving has always been about being thankful and giving back. This is how VSP as an institution gives back to the local community,” said acting Community Resource Manager Lt. T. Costa.
The CCWF incarcerated population created Thanksgiving decorations for the visiting room.
The population at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) came together to decorate the family visiting rooms for the Thanksgiving holiday. On the special visiting day, festivities included face painting for the children.
Community Resource Manager Courtney Waybright and Custody Captain Gene Norman coordinated the decorations and enlisted the population to get creative.
“I am always really impressed with the creativity and efforts put into decorations every holiday here at CCWF,” said Waybright.
Thanksgiving celebrated at Archives Unit
The CDCR Archives Unit enjoyed a Thanksgiving-style brunch of chicken and waffles thanks to Administrator Terri Gillam.
“It’s great to spend time with your coworkers and bond over a holiday meal,” said Manager Lanesha Perry.
The Archives Unit has jurisdiction over discharged criminal cases and is responsible for the Justice Automated Data Exchange (JADE), the criminal and arrest record for all offenders throughout California.
The CDCR Archives Unit in Rancho Cordova celebrated with a Thanksgiving brunch.
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