By Lt. David Barksdale
Valley State Prison (VSP) staff donated toys, clothing, food and sleeping bags gathered in at least five drives to help those in need.
VSP staff donations help non-profits assist families in need
VSP staff donated to the local community of Fairmead holiday efforts.
Fairmead Family Community & Friends (FCF) is a non-profit, community based organization in Chowchilla. The group advocates for health, justice, safer environments, and community resources.
FCF held activities during the holiday season including, their 13th Annual Community Thanksgiving Feast. This year, Galilee Church held a drive-through dinner offering turkey, ham and all the trimmings.
The non-profit also held a hygiene and warm clothing drive for local homeless persons. The group also sponsored a holiday food basket drive for needy families.
The giving included canned goods, personal hygiene items, winter clothes, and toys.
Thanks to VSP’s staff and the collaboration of local vendors such as Savemart, Madera Grocery Outlet, and Pak N Save stores, 40 families were given non-perishable food. Also, 10 local homeless people with given blankets and hygiene products.
Chowchilla food, clothing drive aided by VSP
For the sixth year in a row, VSP collaborated with the Chowchilla Community Task Force. The task force represents agencies such as the police department, City Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars, local schools, and others.
VSP assisted with the task force’s Coat and Warm Clothes Holiday Drive.
This drive is part of the City of Chowchilla’s effort to give warm clothing and toys to children and families who may otherwise be without during the holidays.
Staff donated clothing, toys
VSP staff donated clean, new and gently used coats, jackets, sweaters, pajamas, socks, scarves, gloves, slippers as well as toys for all ages.
VSP donated hundreds of toys and warms clothes distributed as part of several drive-through holiday giveaways in Chowchilla.
Over 200 refurbished bikes are donated
Under the leadership of Warden R. Fisher, Jr., the VSP Bicycle Refurbishing Program was able to remain active. Incarcerated participants refurbished donated, confiscated, discarded and/or used bikes while adhering to CDCR’s safety protocols.
To support families impacted by the pandemic, the VSP Bike Refurbishing Program held two giveaways in August and December. These efforts resulted in VSP donating over 200 bikes to local charitable and school agencies.
Aid given to local seniors
Staff participated in the second Caring for Seniors event. Donations included gifts and food along with holiday cheer to local senior citizens in a care facility.
Staff collaborated with Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) to provide a holiday event.
VSP and CCWF provided pie, goodie bags and masks to the 160 residents at the Madera Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
VSP assists homeless and foster youth
VSP staff donated the items for homeless and foster youth serviced by the Madera Unified School District PBIS program:
- backpacks
- books
- sleeping bags
- blankets
- toys
Learn more about CDCR/CCHCS’s community involvement.