FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – One new nonprofit organization in Florence hopes to ‘Love Beyond Bars.’ The organization wants to keep families together that have an incarcerated loved one, especially during the holiday season.
The Love Beyond Bars organization began an Angel Tree for children with incarcerated parents about three months ago.
Now more than 40 kids from across the Pee Dee will receive a toy, an outfit and a Love Box.
The Love Box is a gift for Christmas Eve. Each box has hot chocolate and popcorn. The purpose of the Love Box is to bring the family together while waiting for Santa.
Organizers say incarceration causes strain on the families, emotionally and financially.
On Wednesday the kids will have a Christmas party to give the gifts, take pictures with Santa and make holiday cards for their parent behind bars.
Jenice Green, Founder of Love Beyond Bars said, “We want to be able to create a day that, 1) They can be a kid. 2) That they can experience fun and happiness.”
Research suggests children with incarcerated parents may experience behavioral and emotional problems.
One volunteer says she got involved because programs like this could have helped her family through prison sentences that deeply impacted her relatives.
Ca’tasha Foster, Volunteer with Love Beyond Bars said, “It opens the door for a lot of deviance that can be avoided if one person shows one act of kindness.”
It is not too late to donate —toys or money for children. To donate, join organizers Wednesday at City Grill in Florence at 6 p.m., or donate to their PayPal by searching jenice.green76@gmail.com.
