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Indiana re-entry facility donating toys for toy drive

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) –  Some Indiana inmates are working to give those in need a better Christmas this year.

Both the staff and the residents at the Indianapolis Re-Entry Educational Facility (I-REF), a restricted minimum-security prison in Indianapolis, have collected dozens of toys for WISHTV’s annual WISH-Tree Toy Drive.

“The staff, residents, they’ve all pitched in. It’s beyond what I could imagine,” said IREF Superintendent Laurie Johnson.

IREF is a facility with the Indiana Department of Corrections, for men who are nearing their release date. It has programs designed to help them get ready to re-enter society successfully. You’ll hear offenders called residents here, and you’ll see them wearing street clothes, instead of the typical prison garb.

“The main purpose for all of this, my goal, was to give the guys a sense of giving back,” said Johnson.

Johnson says after watching the WISH-Tree Toy Drive last year, she realized they could do that.

“We have so many wonderful volunteers at this facility that give of their time, their resources and their money. They do so many wonderful things here, that I want to pay that forward. I want to teach the guys that.”

They’ve gathered well over $1,000 worth of toys. Residents have donated through fundraisers throughout the year, and staff have gone out to purchase toys. Staff also have donated as well. The Women’s Prison also got involved.

“It’s good for people to know, that even people who have made really bad mistakes and are incarcerated, they still enjoy helping people. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to help,” said Kevin Weeks, a resident at IREF.

“When I was younger, I was a recipient of gifts from programs like these. So, for me, knowing that feeling that maybe you might not get something for Christmas, and maybe that feeling that you will get something for Christmas, it’s always a good feeling to have a gift under the tree,” said Robert Hinton, another resident at IREF.

A way to give back, to those most in need, from those working to be better.

“Probably one of the hardest times about being in prison, is being away from your kids. I have three sons, and so I just thought it would be a good opportunity to help kids, although I couldn’t be with mine, to let other kids have a better Christmas,” said Weeks.

Follow along here throughout the day Thursday as Lori and Brooke, and Randy and Scott collect the toys donated from area businesses and organizations to the WISH Tree Toy Drive.