Community Involvement, Rehabilitation

CMC pizza sale helps children in need

CMC prison donates to children network group. Four people stand in front of a van outside the prison.
From left are Lisa Ray, Warden (A) Danny Samuel, Chief Deputy Warden Bryan Phillips and Lori Klemowicz.

Childrens Resource Network of the Central Coast thanks employees, population

Employees and the population at California Men’s Colony (CMC) worked together to raise nearly $5,400 to provide free clothing, school supplies, and other resources to children and families in need.

Warden Danny Samuel and Chief Deputy Warden Bryan Phillips presented a donation of $5,399.23 to Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast. Lisa Ray, CEO and founder of organization, accepted the donation along with Lori Klemowicz.

Incarcerated people raised the money in a pizza sale held at CMC in November and December 2021. Community Resource Manager Jim Bonnifield and staff throughout CMC assisted with the sale. As a result, low-income and homeless children in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties will receive much-needed assistance.

Children’s Resource Network thanks CMC

CMC’s generous gift prompted Ray to post the following comment on the CRNCC Facebook page:

“(((BIG HUG))) and THANK YOU to our community partners at CMC, California Men’s Colony. They just gave the Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast a donation of $5,399.23 from funds raised in a food drive by the inmate population and their vendors. This is a hard time of year for the Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast, and these funds mean a lot to us, THANK YOU!  We also want to thank the administration department of CMC and Warden Danny Samuel, Chief Deputy Warden Bryan Philipps, Lt. John Hill, and Jim Bonnifield, Community Resource Manager.

“CMC is also one of the major sponsors for our annual Free Christmas Toy Giveaway. They love volunteering at our events and handing out toys directly to the children and families in need!

“Thank you CMC inmates, The Warden’s Office, and all of the employees who help us each year!”

By Lieutenant John Hill


See more community involvement stories.

Read more rehabilitation stories.

Follow CDCR on YouTubeFacebook and Twitter.