â–º Listen Live
â–º Listen Live
â–º Listen Live

Toys made by Federal inmates distributed to Cariboo families

From wooden horses and trains to blankets and winter caps and mittens, inmates at federal prisons in the Fraser Valley brought Christmas cheer to families in Williams Lake yesterday for a second year.

Sarah Jackman, Coordinator of the restorative justice program Work2give, says many of the inmates feel strongly connected and passionate to the program that allows them to build everything from toys to bunk beds for needy families and youth.

“I get down there as often as I can, and I go and visit the guys in the prison and bring down pictures of the kids sitting on the rocking horses that they built or a bed that they built.”

“I got guys that are coming up to me and saying you know I never had a bed growing up, so this is really important to me. I had another man say to me this is the first time I’ve ever thought of anybody but myself since I have been in here.”

The program, which is run by the Punky Wilderness Camp Society, was founded in the Cariboo, says Jackman.

“Brian Lange, the man who came up with the idea in the first place, grew up in this area so he felt kind of an attachment to it.”

“The Chilcotin area of British Columbia is one of the most impoverished areas in the province so it seemed like a good fit.”

Jackman says although she would like to see the program to expand to other correctional facilities, the program is dependent on federal funding.

“I would love for it to be in every institution in British Columbia and have inmates working on this project, but the fact the matter is the Federal government is cutting programs like this.”

“We are very likely losing our contract at the end of this fiscal year. It will be up to us to find more funding to keep it going.”

Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Rebecca Dyok
Rebecca Dyok
News Reporter/Anchor who loves the Cariboo and coffee (lots of it). If you have any news tips or story ideas you would like to share I can be reached at [email protected]

Continue Reading

ckbx Now playing play

cffm Now playing play

ckcq Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

The 2025 Quesnel Ambassadors Have Been Crowned

The 2025 Quesnel Ambassadors were crowned and announced in a ceremony on July 12th. The ceremony also thanked last year's Quesnel Ambassadors for their time representing Quesnel's Youth throughout the year.

B.C’s youth watchdog says more work needs to be done, one year after report on systemic failures

One year after a report by British Columbia's Child and Youth Representative on the horrific death of an Indigenous boy in care, the province is still working on an action plan for systemic changes to children and youth social services.

B.C. expands heat pump rebates to some renters, condo owners

British Columbia is expanding its heat pump rebate program to eligible apartment renters and condo owners. 

B.C. expands heat pump rebates to some renters, condo owners

British Columbia is expanding its heat pump rebate program to eligible apartment renters and condo owners. 

B.C. urges water conservation as drought deepens in some regions

British Columbia’s water, land and resource stewardship minister is encouraging residents to conserve water, saying drought is worsening in parts of the province. 
- Advertisement -