Since its inception in 2006, Stamp Out Loneliness has collected 66,259 stamps.
To you it is a 44 cent stamp. So tiny that it is easily misplaced or overlooked.
To her it is a lifeline to her children, family, and friends.
To her, working inside the prison for 23 cents an hour, it is worth almost two hours of paid labor.
Patmos Ministries is currently collecting stamps and funds to purchase 400,000 stamps for 133,000 currently incarcerated women.
The stamps will be distributed by the facilities so that women can maintain or resume communication with their loved ones including their children who may live too far away to visit. While paper and glue cannot replace a human touch the stamp may help to carry messages of love and hope.
Please visit NWPP to learn where to send your stamps or contributions.
Wardens and Chaplains: If you are a Warden or Chaplain of a women's institution, please contact Patmos Ministries via email at pnmarks@patmosministries.net to request 3 stamps for each woman at your institution.
A Prayer for Blessing the Gift of Stamps
God of the living word,
Because we are so very grateful for exery chance to stay in touch with you, we know the power of strong communication with thsoe we love.
We ask your blessing on this offering of postage stamps.
These stamps have already passed through many hands before they got here.
They have been designed, printed, cut, shipped, sold, purchased, and now given into the hands of women who may have been through the same kinds of things.
May this gift bless the givers and receivers alike for the passing on of a good word, one to another--this word--someone cares.
May the messages be sent with these stamps strengthen ties of healing and reconciliation.
Let them be sealed with your blessing.
| Please Note:
Patmos Ministries has passed the banner to National Women's Prison Project, Inc. to continue collecting stamps for prisoners around the United States. NWPP graciously accepted the honor! Please follow the link to their website and continue your support of the Stamp Out Loneliness project.
State of New York-Department of Correctional Services
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
247 Harris Road
Bedford Hills, New York 10507
September 10, 2009
Deaconess Patricia N. Marks
Patmos Ministries
Dear Patricia,
As you know from our e-mails, I am the Chaplain in the Regional Medical Unit within the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Bedford Hills is a maximum-security facility for women. At anyone time we minister to fifty women on the medical and mental health floors and an additional 750+ in population.
Your Stamp Out Loneliness Project is wonderful and amazing! The stamps have arrived and the women are very, very grateful. Your goal to touch loved ones of the incarcerated that miss their family and friends has touched my heart. It is a blessing to minister to these women in way that opens doors through communication.
Often when God gives us a chance to help someone, we receive more than we give. Truly it is a blessing to help those who are imprisoned. We thank all who keep supporting these important outreaches and thank you for caring. And thanks to you for helping in spite of these troubling economic times. In God's eyes, true greatness is serving others. God bless you and your ministry.
Sincerely,
Sister Mary Ann Collins, O.P.
Chaplain
Each day is a day that God has given us, and each moment of that day is in the Lord.
Roy Lessin
Sister Mary Ann Collins, O.P. Chaplain, Regional Medical Unit (914) 241-3100 ext 1211
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From Christmas 2007:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Thank you so much for touching the lives of the ladies at Fluvanna
Correctional Center for Women in Troy Virginia by providing postage
stamps so they can stay in touch with their families and loved ones. I
have spent many hours listening to ladies as they plan their transition
home after incarceration and many have shared with me about the
importance of letter writing. Once again I am convinced that the glue
on the stamp creates strong bonds which can change lives.
Some of the women have spoken of the importance of writing to secure
vital documents and records, others have written to apply for
transitional housing and other services. Many women have written to
family members to sustain or restore relationships so they can more
effectively transition home and not repeat the mistakes that led to
their incarceration. Without the stamps you provided, these
communications would not have taken place.
I am pleased to report that to date I have collected enough stamps for
each woman in the facility to receive three stamps. The outpouring of
love has been a great reminder to me about God’s provision, abundance,
desire and ability to meet our every need.
The ladies and I are most grateful for the stamps, your compassion, and opportunity to experience God’s love.
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