Community Outreach Advent Giving raises almost $700

We would like to thank our congregation for their donations to AIDNW for our Advent project. All of you donated $680!

We had originally planned to provide the funds for AIDNW for the purchase of phone cards for the detainees to be able to contact their families. We recently learned that the corporation running the prison had a court ruling against them; they are not allowed to pay the prisoners $1 per day any longer, but need to pay Washington State minimum wages. To get around this, the corporation, GEO Group, has decided not to pay the prisoners to work at all. This has resulted in no wages to purchase phone cards, hygiene supplies, or snacks/ healthy food. It has also resulted in horrible living conditions.

The Community Outreach committee met and decided to add to the congregational funds. We have sent AIDNW $2000 to provide the detainees some ability to purchase sup- plies for themselves. It feels small in the face of the enormity of what is needed, but it will make a difference. Thank you for your generosity. We wish you a peaceful Advent season.