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
Monday, January 4, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Holidays Blessings and a Joyous New Year
Below is the Christmas Card that Matt Matteo sent to us this year.
Sketch reprinted by permission of Matt Matteo.
Matt Matteo is a writer, painter, cartoonist, and prisoner from Derry, Pennsylvania. He continues to improve his work and himself by contributing to many publications, including Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul; Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul; Touched by Angels of Mercy; Serving Productive Time; and Serving Time, Serving Others. He welcomes mail at #BS-7345, 801 Butler Pike, Mercer, PA 16137.
Matt Matteo is a writer, painter, cartoonist, and prisoner from Derry, Pennsylvania. He continues to improve his work and himself by contributing to many publications, including Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul; Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul; Touched by Angels of Mercy; Serving Productive Time; and Serving Time, Serving Others. He welcomes mail at #BS-7345, 801 Butler Pike, Mercer, PA 16137.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Fr. Jackson Spoke about Being a Prison Chaplain
Last evening, about 25 people attended Fr. Jackson’s presentation as part of “Theology on Tap.” Fr. Jackson is assigned as the Catholic Chaplain in Smyrna, Delaware at the “Vaughn Correctional Center,” formerly know as Delaware Correctional Center (DCC).
After lots of questions and answers, I had the opportunity to say a few words about our prison ministry and ask the attendees to donate some of our books for the men at the prison. Each donation of $5 allowed an attendee to personally hand Father a book.
Fr. Jackson left with at least 11 of our books, including:
• Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul
• Serving Time, Serving Others
• Serving Productive Time
In May, “Church of the Holy Child” in North Wilmington, donated a box of 33 “Serving Productive Time” books to Fr. Jackson.
We also gave Fr. Jackson dozens of Christmas cards that were donated by several church groups in our area, including “Church of the Holy Child” and “Trinity Presbyterian Church” in North Wilmington.
The event last evening was held at:
Catherine Rooney's Irish Pub and Restaurant
1616 Delaware Avenue (Trolley Square)
Wilmington, Delaware
After lots of questions and answers, I had the opportunity to say a few words about our prison ministry and ask the attendees to donate some of our books for the men at the prison. Each donation of $5 allowed an attendee to personally hand Father a book.
Fr. Jackson left with at least 11 of our books, including:
• Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul
• Serving Time, Serving Others
• Serving Productive Time
In May, “Church of the Holy Child” in North Wilmington, donated a box of 33 “Serving Productive Time” books to Fr. Jackson.
We also gave Fr. Jackson dozens of Christmas cards that were donated by several church groups in our area, including “Church of the Holy Child” and “Trinity Presbyterian Church” in North Wilmington.
The event last evening was held at:
Catherine Rooney's Irish Pub and Restaurant
1616 Delaware Avenue (Trolley Square)
Wilmington, Delaware
Monday, December 14, 2009
Presentation at “Fiske Academy at Camelot”
Our thanks to everyone who participated last evening (December 13) in the event at “Fiske Academy at Camelot” in Wilmington, Delaware in cooperation with Prison Ministries of Delaware, Prison Fellowship Ministries, Gideons International, Church of the Holy Child, and Success Solutions. Eleven volunteers participated in the event with the 27 at-risk boys between the ages of 10 to 18 years of age. As special thanks to Fay Whittle for arranging the event.
Countless other volunteers, who were not present physically, helped us with their donations of books, Christmas cards, words of wisdom, prayers, etc. The smiles, laughs, and appreciation from the boys were priceless.
After the event, seven of the volunteers shared their experiences over a delicious meal at nearby Lamberti’s Restaurant on Philadelphia Pike.
May you and your loved ones continued to be blessed during this holiday season and the New Year.
Note: December 13 is also a special day for another reason: In 1969, (40 years ago) Laura and Tom became engaged to be married.
Countless other volunteers, who were not present physically, helped us with their donations of books, Christmas cards, words of wisdom, prayers, etc. The smiles, laughs, and appreciation from the boys were priceless.
After the event, seven of the volunteers shared their experiences over a delicious meal at nearby Lamberti’s Restaurant on Philadelphia Pike.
May you and your loved ones continued to be blessed during this holiday season and the New Year.
Note: December 13 is also a special day for another reason: In 1969, (40 years ago) Laura and Tom became engaged to be married.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Books for Youth at the Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility
A chaplain at the Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility has requested donations of our books for the youth incarcerated there.
Thanks to the generosity of several sponsors, we were able to send a copy of each of the following books to this chaplain.
- Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul
- Serving Time, Serving Others
- Serving Productive Time
For each additional donation of $25, we will be able to send another 3 of our books to this facility's library or any correctional facility of your choice.
For additional details, e-mail Tom@TomLagana.com
Thanks.
Holiday Blessings...
Thanks to the generosity of several sponsors, we were able to send a copy of each of the following books to this chaplain.
- Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul
- Serving Time, Serving Others
- Serving Productive Time
For each additional donation of $25, we will be able to send another 3 of our books to this facility's library or any correctional facility of your choice.
For additional details, e-mail Tom@TomLagana.com
Thanks.
Holiday Blessings...
Monday, November 23, 2009
Free Seminar -- Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit
On Saturday, December 5th from 10:30 to Noon, there will be a meeting on the second floor (Room 209B) in the Brandywine Library at 1300 Foulk Road in Wilmington, Delaware facilitated by Tom Lagana. Join us for inspiration, guided meditation, and spiritual exercises that will nurture your spirit, increase your self-esteem, and help you realize what you want to see show up in your life.
Please invite others who may be interested and RSVP by e-mailing Tom@TomLagana.com
Several of our books will be available for sale at these meetings to help support our prison ministry. They also make excellent Christmas gifts and can be personally autographed.
Special Project:
Our prison ministry corresponds with hundreds of inmates each year. When planning your Christmas and holiday cards this year, please write some words of wisdom and encouragement in a card for a prisoner. Our prison volunteers will address and mail the cards. You may sign your first name if you like, sign it “Someone who cares,” or leave it blank. Please leave the envelope blank, unsealed, and place a stamp on it, and bring to the meeting above. New or used inspirational, soft-cover books may also be donated, especially “Chicken Soup for the Soul” titles.
Please send positive energy and pray for those often forgotten souls behind bars that they will know that someone cares about them and that they will be inspired to become productive members of society.
Please invite others who may be interested and RSVP by e-mailing Tom@TomLagana.com
Several of our books will be available for sale at these meetings to help support our prison ministry. They also make excellent Christmas gifts and can be personally autographed.
Special Project:
Our prison ministry corresponds with hundreds of inmates each year. When planning your Christmas and holiday cards this year, please write some words of wisdom and encouragement in a card for a prisoner. Our prison volunteers will address and mail the cards. You may sign your first name if you like, sign it “Someone who cares,” or leave it blank. Please leave the envelope blank, unsealed, and place a stamp on it, and bring to the meeting above. New or used inspirational, soft-cover books may also be donated, especially “Chicken Soup for the Soul” titles.
Please send positive energy and pray for those often forgotten souls behind bars that they will know that someone cares about them and that they will be inspired to become productive members of society.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Christmas Story to Reprint -- Dear You
The following story is available to re-print in your newsletter, magazine, or newspaper. Those interested may e-mail: tom@tomlagana.com for a Word file version. The pdf version is linked at:
http://www.tomlagana.com/images/Lagana-DearYou.pdf
~~
Dear You
By Tom Lagana
from “Serving Productive Time”
One cold November morning, I stopped by the emergency room of our local hospital to see if they could use my volunteer services. My official volunteer day was Thursday, but since I was already downtown that Saturday, I thought I’d offer to help out.
As I entered the triage area, one of the nurses waved and called out to me. “Tom, I need to see you after I check on my patient. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure, Nicole,” I answered. “I’ll be here.” I couldn’t help but wonder, What did I do now?
Minutes later she reappeared and explained, “I’m glad you’re here today. My nine-year-old daughter decided to do a project on her own. It has to do with the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy.”
Out of the blue, I had a flashback of my Catholic school days. “Sure, I remember them well. The nuns made us memorize them in grade school.” I rattled them off in my head: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead.
“Then you know that one of the corporal works is to visit the imprisoned. A few months ago, I recall your mentioning that you also volunteer at the prison. I want to ask you for a favor. My daughter wants to make Christmas cards for prisoners, but she doesn’t know how to go about getting them to the inmates. Can you help us?”
“Of course. I plan to visit the prison before Christmas anyway, and I’m sending letters to inmates in other states. Her cards will be a welcome gift for everyone who has to spend Christmas behind bars.”
“Thanks, Tom. She’ll be thrilled. I can’t wait to tell her.” Then Nicole disappeared into another room to tend to her next patient.
The following Thursday, when I reported for my usual ER shift, thirty-one handmade Christmas cards were waiting for me, just as Nicole had promised.
Early the next morning, I sipped my coffee and read the cards with my wife, Laura. Each one-of-a-kind, handcrafted card was created on construction paper of various colors of the rainbow. They moved us to tears.
Dear You,
God watches over you all the time. If you turn your back on Him, He’ll still be there and still protect you.
J.M.
Dear You,
You know how when you meet somebody, but you can’t trust them? Well, you don’t have to know God to trust Him. He’ll never turn you down.
J.M.
Dear You,
You don’t have to impress God. I’m saying that because usually people think they have to. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them.
J.M.
Dear You,
God has a plan for everyone. Maybe this wasn’t His plan for you, but this is just the beginning. Everything will be okay.
J.M.
Dear You,
I have faith in everyone. Maybe you did some stuff wrong, but everyone deserves a second chance. Even though I don’t know you, I believe in you. For Christmas, will you do something for me? Pray to God. Merry Christmas.
J.M.
Dear You,
Never call yourself a failure. Yes, maybe you messed up in the past, but we all mess up. Hey, God is always there. Merry Christmas.
J.M.
Dear You,
You probably think badness is all around you. Well, look beyond the badness and see God standing there saying, “I love you.” If you try hard, maybe you can see the same thing. Don’t worry. God never takes a break.
J.M.
One week after sending out some of the cards, the responses began rolling in from inmates. Have a look at a few examples:
The first thing I want to do is tell you that I thought the Christmas card from the little girl was absolutely priceless! It warmed my heart when I got this, and I’d have to say that it was the best Christmas card I’ve ever received. Please be sure to tell her that I said, “Thank you.” I showed it to several of the guys around here, and then sent it home to my parents.
Dave LeFave (Colorado)
That card from the little girl made me feel good. What a wonderful heart she must have to be so kind. In these places you learn to put your emotions in a box, but her card got through that wall I’ve built. It felt great to get behind that wall for a bit and feel the warmth she put there. I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas gift.
Charles Carkhuff (California)
The card from the little girl was so touching. Enclosed is my handmade thank-you note for the little girl who took the time and effort to make it. Please convey my gratitude to her mom as well.
John Schmidt (Delaware)
A nine-year-old made thirty-one cards like the one you gave me and wanted them all sent to prisoners? Wow! Must be quite a little girl to be so altruistic so early in life. When I was nine years old, I was busy dreaming about Luke Skywalker, not asking prisoners to pray. Makes me wonder what she’ll become.
Matt Matteo (Pennsylvania)
Matt Matteo also enclosed an original drawing depicting an inmate on his knees, praying fervently in his cell. When I saw it, I was filled with emotion. Then, after turning the illustration over, I saw this notation:
Dear You:
Thank you for believing in me and for believing in giving second chances. I really value the card you made for me.
Thank you,
M.M.
Sketch reprinted by permission of Matt Matteo.
~~
Dear You. Reprinted by permission of Tom Lagana. © 2009 Tom Lagana from the book “Serving Productive Time: Stories, Poems, and Tips to Inspire Positive Change from Inmates, Prison Staff, and Volunteers” by Tom Lagana and Laura Lagana. See website: www.TomLagana.com
~~
Tom Lagana is a professional speaker, trainer, author, engineer, and volunteer. He is a recipient of the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service in Delaware and coauthor of “Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul.” He and his wife, Laura, are coauthors of “Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul,” “Serving Time, Serving Others,” “Serving Productive Time” and “The Quick and Easy Guide to Project Management.” They present and facilitate workshops, programs, and seminars for inmates and volunteers across the United States. He many be contacted at P.O. Box 7816, Wilmington, DE 19803, phone 302-475-4825, e-mail: Tom@TomLagana.com, or website: www.TomLagana.com.
http://www.tomlagana.com/images/Lagana-DearYou.pdf
~~
Dear You
By Tom Lagana
from “Serving Productive Time”
One cold November morning, I stopped by the emergency room of our local hospital to see if they could use my volunteer services. My official volunteer day was Thursday, but since I was already downtown that Saturday, I thought I’d offer to help out.
As I entered the triage area, one of the nurses waved and called out to me. “Tom, I need to see you after I check on my patient. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure, Nicole,” I answered. “I’ll be here.” I couldn’t help but wonder, What did I do now?
Minutes later she reappeared and explained, “I’m glad you’re here today. My nine-year-old daughter decided to do a project on her own. It has to do with the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy.”
Out of the blue, I had a flashback of my Catholic school days. “Sure, I remember them well. The nuns made us memorize them in grade school.” I rattled them off in my head: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead.
“Then you know that one of the corporal works is to visit the imprisoned. A few months ago, I recall your mentioning that you also volunteer at the prison. I want to ask you for a favor. My daughter wants to make Christmas cards for prisoners, but she doesn’t know how to go about getting them to the inmates. Can you help us?”
“Of course. I plan to visit the prison before Christmas anyway, and I’m sending letters to inmates in other states. Her cards will be a welcome gift for everyone who has to spend Christmas behind bars.”
“Thanks, Tom. She’ll be thrilled. I can’t wait to tell her.” Then Nicole disappeared into another room to tend to her next patient.
The following Thursday, when I reported for my usual ER shift, thirty-one handmade Christmas cards were waiting for me, just as Nicole had promised.
Early the next morning, I sipped my coffee and read the cards with my wife, Laura. Each one-of-a-kind, handcrafted card was created on construction paper of various colors of the rainbow. They moved us to tears.
Dear You,
God watches over you all the time. If you turn your back on Him, He’ll still be there and still protect you.
J.M.
Dear You,
You know how when you meet somebody, but you can’t trust them? Well, you don’t have to know God to trust Him. He’ll never turn you down.
J.M.
Dear You,
You don’t have to impress God. I’m saying that because usually people think they have to. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them.
J.M.
Dear You,
God has a plan for everyone. Maybe this wasn’t His plan for you, but this is just the beginning. Everything will be okay.
J.M.
Dear You,
I have faith in everyone. Maybe you did some stuff wrong, but everyone deserves a second chance. Even though I don’t know you, I believe in you. For Christmas, will you do something for me? Pray to God. Merry Christmas.
J.M.
Dear You,
Never call yourself a failure. Yes, maybe you messed up in the past, but we all mess up. Hey, God is always there. Merry Christmas.
J.M.
Dear You,
You probably think badness is all around you. Well, look beyond the badness and see God standing there saying, “I love you.” If you try hard, maybe you can see the same thing. Don’t worry. God never takes a break.
J.M.
One week after sending out some of the cards, the responses began rolling in from inmates. Have a look at a few examples:
The first thing I want to do is tell you that I thought the Christmas card from the little girl was absolutely priceless! It warmed my heart when I got this, and I’d have to say that it was the best Christmas card I’ve ever received. Please be sure to tell her that I said, “Thank you.” I showed it to several of the guys around here, and then sent it home to my parents.
Dave LeFave (Colorado)
That card from the little girl made me feel good. What a wonderful heart she must have to be so kind. In these places you learn to put your emotions in a box, but her card got through that wall I’ve built. It felt great to get behind that wall for a bit and feel the warmth she put there. I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas gift.
Charles Carkhuff (California)
The card from the little girl was so touching. Enclosed is my handmade thank-you note for the little girl who took the time and effort to make it. Please convey my gratitude to her mom as well.
John Schmidt (Delaware)
A nine-year-old made thirty-one cards like the one you gave me and wanted them all sent to prisoners? Wow! Must be quite a little girl to be so altruistic so early in life. When I was nine years old, I was busy dreaming about Luke Skywalker, not asking prisoners to pray. Makes me wonder what she’ll become.
Matt Matteo (Pennsylvania)
Matt Matteo also enclosed an original drawing depicting an inmate on his knees, praying fervently in his cell. When I saw it, I was filled with emotion. Then, after turning the illustration over, I saw this notation:
Dear You:
Thank you for believing in me and for believing in giving second chances. I really value the card you made for me.
Thank you,
M.M.
Sketch reprinted by permission of Matt Matteo.
~~
Dear You. Reprinted by permission of Tom Lagana. © 2009 Tom Lagana from the book “Serving Productive Time: Stories, Poems, and Tips to Inspire Positive Change from Inmates, Prison Staff, and Volunteers” by Tom Lagana and Laura Lagana. See website: www.TomLagana.com
~~
Tom Lagana is a professional speaker, trainer, author, engineer, and volunteer. He is a recipient of the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service in Delaware and coauthor of “Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul.” He and his wife, Laura, are coauthors of “Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul,” “Serving Time, Serving Others,” “Serving Productive Time” and “The Quick and Easy Guide to Project Management.” They present and facilitate workshops, programs, and seminars for inmates and volunteers across the United States. He many be contacted at P.O. Box 7816, Wilmington, DE 19803, phone 302-475-4825, e-mail: Tom@TomLagana.com, or website: www.TomLagana.com.
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