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LUCY PARSONS BOOKSTORE

Lucy Parsons Bookstore's Prison Book Program is a non-profit organization in Quincy, Massachusetts. Since 1972, the organization has been sending books to those in prison at no cost. In addition, basic legal information, dictionaries, and GED study guides are frequently shipped to prisoners. This organization is important because most prisons require that books come from a bookstore. Prison Book Program ships over 10,000 packages a year.

During my service, I help package the books, and I have completed hundreds of packages so far. I read the letter that a person in prison sends in which lists the books they want. I use this to make sure the books I'm packaging are close to what they request. Then, I label the package with the return and destination addresses, alongside taping down the package to make sure it isn't damaged during the delivery process. From time to time, I also help with writing responses to the person, which contain uplifting and wholesome messages that are shipped with the books, and with weighing the packages to determine which stamp will be used.

My favorite part about my service here is getting to read the letters of the people in prison and seeing the art projects they make, for sometimes they are personal and give insight on life in prison.

FIRST INSPIRES

FIRST Inspires is a youth organization that runs robotics competitions and inspires students in engineering and technology fields. I volunteered at the FIRST Lego League Challenge in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and had spent the day assisting judges by entering the scores of team performance into their database.

THE OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Outreach Program is a non-profit organization that provides safe water, food, medical care, and education to those in need, at home and abroad by organizing packaging events. I spent a day in Pembroke, Massachusetts, packing nutritious meals for the less fortunate.

CRADLES TO CRAYONS

Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that focuses on ending children’s clothing insecurity. I spent a day sorting clothes based on size, type, and gender. Additionally, I participated in a Pajama Drive that donated unused pairs of pajamas to Cradles to Crayons.