NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program is helping incarcerated parents put gifts under the tree for their children this holiday season.
The Angel Tree program started in 1982 and has since brought over 11 million gifts to children with incarcerated parents, according to their website.
Community members can donate gifts to local organizations participating in the program, which will be given to the children on behalf of the incarcerated parents. Gifts are delivered with a personal note from the parents, which the organization says helps to facilitate the restoration of relationships.
Additionally, the Prison Fellowship collects donations to fund sending kids to summer camp, sports camps, STEM programs and other activities.
Several Middle Tennessee facilities are participating in the program, including:
- Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center
- Humphreys County Jail
- Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility
- Riverbend Maximum Security Institution
- Trousdale Turner Correctional Center
- Turney Center Industrial Complex
According to the Prison Fellowship, incarceration affects one out of every 49 children, and these children especially feel the effects of this during the holidays.
"These gifts serve as points of connection, relationship and hope," the Fellowship said.
Organizations and small groups can sign up to participate in the program by collecting gifts and facilitating deliveries at prisonfellowship.org.