Angel Tree was founded in the 1980s by Mary Kay Beard, a bank robber who, while imprisoned in Alabama, noticed how inmates would sometimes give their kids toothpaste, soaps or socks for Christmas.
The Angel Tree program of Prison Fellowship partners with churches and volunteers to deliver Christmas gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents.
During the holidays, some faith groups and congregations across the United States work to bring some Christmas cheer and connection to prisoners and their children
During the holidays, some faith groups and congregations across the United States work to bring some Christmas cheer—and connection—to prisoners and their children. The Angel Tree program of the nonprofit
Kevin Almestica recalls unwrapping a Christmas present at age 5 to find his favorite G.I. Joe action figure with a card from his mom who was serving time at New York City s Rikers Island jail complex.