Unlikely prison donation will help Indiana veterans

Sunday, October 19, 2014
An American flag-themed afghan, donated by a Putnamville Correctional Facility offender, is being raffled off at American Legion Post 58 in Greencastle, with proceeds to purchase clothing for residents of the Indiana Veterans Home. Presenting the donation recently at PCF are (from left) offender Toma Echols, correctional officer and Greencastle Sons of the American Legion Commander Tony Sparks, offender Bill McClain, offender Irwin Dean, Casework Manager David Mikles and offender Mark Nixon. To purchase a raffle ticket, contact the Legion at 653-8939 or go to Post 58 at 1401 Indianapolis Rd. (Photo courtesy of Putnamville Correctional Facility)

PUTNAMVILLE -- Kindness from an unexpected source will likely mean a lot to some Indiana veterans this winter.

An offender from Putnamville Correctional Facility, using his own limited means, has donated an afghan to the Greencastle American Legion for the benefit of the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette.

Correctional Officer Tony Sparks, who also serves as the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) commander at Post 58 in Greencastle, said the offender sought him out, wanting to do something positive with the American flag-themed afghan.

Even during his own incarceration, the offender, who has not been publicly

identified, wished to help our men and women who have served.

While the donation of an offender may be a surprise to many, it is just the sort of activity promoted by PCF officials.

"Giving back to the community is a worthwhile goal that offenders should be proud to engage in," PCF Superintendent Stanley Knight said.

Sparks knew just want to do with the afghan, as the post had already been looking for ways to raise money for the Veterans Home this winter.

Several weeks ago, some local delegates attended the Legion's state convention and came back with a list of needs for the Veterans Home, including socks, underwear, disposable underwear, long underwear and other warm

clothing.

"We always donate to the Veterans Home," Sparks said. "Everybody always gives out of their general membership. But this is the first time the Veterans Home has really asked us to help. They're really in dire straits."

With that in mind, the general membership of Post 58, the Ladies Auxiliary and the SAL are working together to fill a box with the needed items to take to the Veterans Home.

Each Wednesday, the Legion hosts a snack night, and members are already being encouraged to bring a donation when they attend.

Sparks also hopes to be able to set up a table to take donations at the Greencastle Walmart store.

Additionally, once the raffle reaches the goal of raising $250, Sparks plans to give that money to some members of the Ladies Auxiliary to go buy more clothing for the cause.

However, this is not simply a cause for those associated with the Legion. Anyone interested in the raffle or in simply donating to do the Veterans Home may call the Legion at 653-8939 or stop by Post 58 at 1401 Indianapolis Rd.

"Between the general membership, the Ladies Auxiliary and the Sons of the Legion, we're gonna fill up the box -- and it's a pretty big box," Sparks said.

"I look for us to give them quite a bit when it's all said and done. We're a pretty giving group."

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