‘Give with Joy’ story series: Prison Toy Lift program provides toys for children with incarcerated mother

Our Give with Joy story series highlights how your donations to The Salvation Army Northern Division impact lives in Minnesota and North Dakota. This Christmas season, spread joy by giving a donation, signing up to volunteer, or ringing bells at a Red Kettle.

Salvation Army volunteers this week wrapped toys for 500 children whose mother is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca, Minn. The Christmas presents will be sent to the children with a handwritten note from their mom, with no indication the gift came from The Salvation Army.

It’s all part of The Salvation Army’s Prison Toy Lift program, which for 35 years has been helping kids and their parents stay connected during a difficult time of year. 

“Many of these parents don’t have regular contact with their children – they can’t hug them like other parents can,” said Charles Berry, director of The Salvation Army’s Correctional Services Department in Minnesota and North Dakota. “Our Toy Lift program allows parents to still have involvement with their kids in a meaningful way.”

The families are grateful for this program, as illustrated in dozens of thank you notes The Salvation Army received from mothers in the Waseca prison after last year’s Prison Toy Lift. One mother wrote: Thank you! Words can’t describe what this means to me! Nothing but happy tears. God bless you, 10 fold.

Volunteers for this year’s Prison Toy Lift included groups from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and female prisoners from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, Minn. The women are part of Challenge Incarceration – a program from the Minnesota Department of Corrections designed to help offenders build accountability, prepare for successful reintegration, reduce recidivism, and make amends with society.

“When you’re trying to turn your life around, this little connection of joy is awesome for these inmates,” said Alicia Ouellette, a Deputy with Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, who has volunteered for Prison Toy Lift the past four years. “This program helps inmates move forward."

The Salvation Army is thankful for the donors and volunteers who support Prison Toy Lift.

“Because of their generosity, 500 kids will have a joyful Christmas this year – receiving a gift they might not otherwise have been expecting,” Berry said.

For those wishing to make a difference in a child’s life this Christmas, you can donate new, unwrapped toys at The Salvation Army office at 2445 Prior Ave. N. in Roseville – or at any Salvation Army service center – during regular business hours. Toys can also be purchased online for distribution by The Salvation Army to local families in need.

The Salvation Army will distribute toys in December at our local Toy Shops, which will serve thousands of local children and families.

This Christmas season, support The Salvation Army by giving a donation or ringing bells at a Red Kettle. Your generosity will bring joy to local families in need.