Wilsonville Spokesman Online

Inmates stitch stockings for Christmas gifts

Pick up and fill a stocking at Washington Federal Savings or Wilsonville Coffee Company

• Published: 11/4/2009 10:00:24 AM

Photo By: Josh KullaFill a stocking
The sewing group gathers for a small ceremony.

Gayle Richardson thought she had given up life as a seamstress when she applied for a job as a corrections officer at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.

For 22 years, Richardson owned and operated her own sewing business in Portland. But global economic trends over the past decade have hollowed out manufacturing throughout the United States. Jobs, including those requiring commercial sewing, have increasingly been shipped overseas as corporations such as Jantzen, Columbia and other local names sought to remain competitive.

“There used to be a lot of sewing in Portland,” Richardson said. “It really has lost a lot.”

That trend went on to claim Richardson’s business, leaving her at a crossroads several years ago.
Coming from a law enforcement family, the transition to corrections officer was smooth. But even though she wound up supervising the prison sewing shop, it didn’t quite fill the two-decade void.

That was before Richardson found “Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart.”

“This was something Mr. Powell (Coffee Creek minimum security wing manager Robert Powell) brought to us,” Richardson said. “And the girls were really excited about the opportunity.”
“Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart” is a non-profit group that assists charitable organizations in Clackamas County. It provides clients, largely children, with a gift-filled stocking during the holidays.
The group formed in 1997, and handed out 500 stockings its first Christmas. Now, with the help of a small army of volunteers, it provides over 2,500 stockings annually to over 20 agencies.

The catch is that someone has to make the stockings in the first place. And that’s where the women at Coffee Creek came into play.

They got involved a little over three months ago when “Fill a Stocking” volunteer and organizer Darcy Baker contacted Powell about the possibility. The need for seamstresses, Baker said, as well as her law enforcement connections – she’s a member of the Oregon state parole board - led her in that direction from the start.

“I’ve been a volunteer seamstress for six years, and I just think this is a really worthwhile project,” Baker said.

Inmates to the rescue
At its heart, “Fill a Stocking” is simple. Volunteers, including Coffee Creek inmates, sew stockings for “Fill a Stocking” throughout the year using fabric and other materials donated by local businesses and individuals.

Each October, volunteers pick up stockings from Coffee Creek and others who make them. They are then filled with basic items including toothpaste, socks or gloves and sorted by age and gender for each order.

“We try to get at least 3,000 made, so at the last minute we won’t get hysterical,” said Marcelle Tebo, who oversees sewing assignments for the group.

This year, however, in a time of increased need, the organization hit the proverbial jackpot when they sought help from Coffee Creek. The nine inmates selected for participation went through an application process much like a normal job. Ultimately, they sewed over 1,400 stockings in just three months, utilizing production line techniques to turn out a remarkably standardized product.

These results stunned Baker and the entire “Fill a Stocking” crew.

“I about fell out of my chair when Bob (Powell) called and said, ‘Hey, we’re done,’” Baker said. “We wanted to do something to recognize these women.”

That led to the simple, yet poignant ceremony held Sept. 17 in a minimum-security classroom. There, the nine inmates were presented with certificates of participation and a big personal thanks from Baker, Tebo and, or course, Richardson.

“What you’ve done here is really a Godsend,” Tebo told the inmates. “This has just been wonderful of you, the organization just can’t thank you enough.”

For the women involved, the opportunity to give back to a community they once may have victimized through criminal activity was a huge incentive to see the project through.
“I’m proud of myself and my co-workers,” said inmate Shasta Hernandez, “because we did something to make the outside world happier.”

While some women already were assigned to the prison sewing workshop, some were brand new to sewing. All were required to learn how to work with a team on an assembly line.

“Everything was fun about it,” said inmate Michelle Palin. “I love sewing, and it’s something I probably wouldn’t have learned on my own. It’s something I’ll use for my family for sure.”

To a woman, the inmates also heaped praise on Richardson for spearheading the effort.
“She loves sewing,” said inmate Victoria Nevarez. “It’s her passion, so that instills that in us, too.”

Wiping away a tear that was part joy and part pride, Richardson had the last word.

“It’s nice to give a piece of love back to the community, to the kids and to the elderly,” she said. 

AT A GLANCE
Help fill 2500 stockings for the needy in Clackamas County. The biggest needs are toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, mild body soap, deodorant, razors, hats & gloves, socks, brushes & combs, all baby items. Chamber member participants are Washington Federal Savings and Wilsonville Coffee Company. Pick up a stocking at either of these locations. Fill the stockings and return. Call 503-632-0577 for details

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