WANTED: Sponsors for Books for Prisoners

Although each month we are able to send hundreds of books to prisons, jails, and youth detention centers, we continued to receive book requests from chaplains, librarians, counselors, teachers, staff, and volunteers so they can make our books available to the prisoners they serve.

When someone has a budget or funding available, we work with them to send as many books as we can. Others simply don't have the resources.

Below are several recent book requests that we have not be able to supply, YET.

- A teacher at Franklin Correctional Facility in Malone, New York requested books for an inmate veterans' organization at the prison.

- A chaplain at Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth, Texas.

- A caring Sergeant at the Leavenworth County Jail in Leavenworth, Kansas has requested at least one copy of each of our books for their book cart to make available to the inmates she helps there. Thanks to a generous person who responded to our Craigslist posting for this, we were able to send 3 of each of our prisoner-related books to this jail.

- A chaplain at Clarinda Correctional Facility in Clarinda, Iowa has requested our books for the inmates he ministers to.

- A chaplain at the Max Security Unit in Tucker, Arkansas has requested 100 of our books for the men he ministers to.

- A chaplain at Douglas County Detention Facility in Castle Rock, Colorado has requested 20 to 30 of our books for the men and women there for their reading club.

- A teacher at the Greenhaven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York would like to have some of our books for her students.

- A chaplain at Warren Correctional Institution in Lebanon, Ohio

- Assistant chaplains at Snohomish County Corrections, Washington State

- A drug counselor at the Department of Corrections Community Supervision Office in Chehalis, Washington

- A chaplain at Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility in Delaware, Ohio

- A prison ministry serving women at Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

- A chaplain at Pendleton Correctional Facility in Pendleton, Indiana

- A Case Manager from Wyandotte County Re-entry in Kansas City, Kansas

To be added to this list or to help us find sponsors, please e-mail: Tom@TomLagana.com

Continued Blessings,
Tom Lagana, co-author "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul," “Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul,” “Serving Productive Time,” and "Serving Time, Serving Others."

http://twitter.com/prisonersoul

Ask Local Libraries to Make Our Books Available

Please help us serve those who have a loved one behind bars by checking to see if our books are available at your local libraries. If they are not, please request them. Below are the titles and ISBN numbers.

Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul -- ISBN-13: 978-1558748361
Serving Time, Serving Others -- ISBN-13: 978-1886068063
Serving Productive Time -- ISBN-13: 978-0757307829
Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul -- ISBN-13: 978-0757300141

Thanks for making a difference.

Inspiration for Prisoners in Palm Beach County

The week of February 1, my wife, Laura, and I will present a self-improvement seminar based on our books for the men and women at The Drug Farm and the inmates at Martin Correctional Institution in Palm Beach County.

If you know of any church, group, or individual who would help sponsor some of our books, we will match the donation with additional books to leave at these facilities.

We are also open to speaking for other groups while we're are in the area.

Seminar Overview: "A Winning Recipe for Success Behind Bars" is a 60- to 90-minute interactive and dynamic presentation, which focuses on tools and life skills that will boost self-confidence, provide direction through positive goals, and demonstrate the benefits of effective communication, responsibility, and competent leadership. It is based on the values and principles in our books: "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul", "Serving Time, Serving Others”, "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul," and our latest book, “Serving Productive Time.”

Interested individuals and groups may e-mail Tom@TomLagana.com or phone 302-475-4825 for additional details.

Please forward this info to anyone willing to help sponsor and distribute more of our books for inmates. Thanks.

Book Request for Drug Program in Washington State

A drug counselor at the Department of Corrections Community Supervision Office in Chehalis, Washington has requested donations of “Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul” and similar inspirational books for the clients in her program.

For each donation of $25, we will be able to send three of our prisoner-related books to this counselor or any correctional facility of your choice.
- Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul
- Serving Time, Serving Others
- Serving Productive Time

For additional details, e-mail Tom@TomLagana.com
Thanks.

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/prisonersoul

Women's Prison Book Project

Today, our prison volunteers packaged two boxes of books for the Women's Prison Book Project. It was the combined energy of three area churches in Wilmington, Delaware, which don't officially have a prison ministry. The books will ship this week by Media Mail. Great synergy.

Click here for the Book Request Form (pdf file)

Spanish Books for Prisoners

Although we have received some requests, asking for our books to be available in Spanish, we have received as many letters from inmates telling us that they have used our books to help them learn English. Below is one of those we received:

"I was incarcerated in the USA, Los Angeles county jail and Chukawalla State Prison. My name is Jorge, I’m from Mexico. I was incarcerated in the USA in 2001 and released in 2003. Sir, I would like to say thanks to you, for that great book that you do something in it, I have no words to tell you because my English is very bad, to tell you the true I learned English reading this great book, “Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul.” Sir, the stories in this book, helped me to change my life’s direction. When I read it, I found so many things I needed to hear that nobody told me before. When I got out from jail I was a different person because of your book. As soon as I was released in February, I started going to school. In 3 years, I graduated from high school, and now I’m doing my best to get a degree in the university. I just wanted to say ‘Thank you’ for the things you do to help others make a difference in their lives. Thanks so much."
-- Jorge

When we receive requests for books in Spanish, we offer them discounts on about a dozen of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" titles that we can obtain for them at a quantity discount.

FREE Book Swap is this weekend -- North Wilmington

Drop off is from 9 am - 7 pm on Friday, January 15th

Swapping is Saturday from 9 am - 1 pm and Sunday from 9 am - noon.

PLEASE spread the word and bring a friend or two or three.

Concord Presbyterian Church
1800 Fairfax Blvd
Wilmington, DE 19803

Corner of Foulk and Murphy Roads

Seminar: Being Your Best in the New Year

Participate in a seminar that will inspire us to be our best in this new year. Activities include introductions to get to know each other better, setting SMART personal goals, and a guided meditation and/or silent meditation to encourage us to focus on visualizing our goals.

Seminar Details: Saturday, Jan 16, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Brandywine Library (1300 Foulk Road) on the ground floor in Café (on left side of entrance). Arrive at 10:30 to start at 10:45 am.

Tom Lagana is a professional speaker, trainer, engineer, consultant, and author. He is co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul," "The Quick and Easy Guide to Project Management," "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul," "Serving Time, Serving Others" and “Serving Productive Time.”

Feel free to invite others who may be interested, and please RSVP by e-mail your intention to attend. Thanks.

Matt Matteo Inspires Other Inmates

As authors of several prisoner-related books, we receive lots of mail from inmates across the county. Much of our mail is for requests of our books. Occasionally someone will write to simply thank us for our part in getting our books into the hands of those often forgotten.

In recent months, we received letters from an inmate, Joseph, in a Virginia jail. In his first letter, he shared: “Through Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul, I found hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.” – Joseph P. Guerrero

Joseph was so inspired by the cartoons in our books by Matt Matteo that he decided to try his hand at cartooning. Last week when Joseph wrote again, he asked that we share an example of his work with those who follow us. Joseph would love to hear from you, too. See his address below.


Sketch reprinted by permission of Joseph P. Guerrero.

Community News features "Dear You" Story

Below is a link to a recent article in the Community News in Wilmington, Delaware with the story, "Dear You" from our newest book, "Serving Productive Time."

http://www.communitypub.com/brandywine/x1820917923/-Dear-You-Christmas-notes-from-prison