Today, I experienced great joy by seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids I gave bowls of ice cream to...
On this day, the members of the church that's behind the walls had our second Family Day event of the year. The last event was held on June 23 (see "Family Day 1"). Once again we had over one hundred men, women and children in attendance, including many of the volunteer ministers who'd regularly come into the facility to conduct worship services and Bible studies.
This time, however, I was not a part of the work crew which had to set up and take down all the equipment. Instead, I opted to be a food server. At age 54 this was a nice change for me as August is the hottest month of the year. This weekend I let the younger men handle the lifting and loading.
Being a food server, though, required me to work with nine other men to give out the food and beverages to everyone. I helped to serve the lunch meal to include soda, juice and water. Then for dessert there was ice cream. We had five large tubs of different flavors. I was one of several prisoners who had to scoop the ice cream into Styrofoam bowls. And all the food was paid for by the inmates. None of it cost the taxpayers of New York State anything.
For the event, we set up our food serving station right in the middle of the prison's ball field. I had to endure a blazing sun as we had no shade or covering. Fortunately, I had my baseball cap with me. But seeing the faces of the kids as I handed each of them more than generous portions of ice cream made for a wonderful day.
D.B.
This time, however, I was not a part of the work crew which had to set up and take down all the equipment. Instead, I opted to be a food server. At age 54 this was a nice change for me as August is the hottest month of the year. This weekend I let the younger men handle the lifting and loading.
Being a food server, though, required me to work with nine other men to give out the food and beverages to everyone. I helped to serve the lunch meal to include soda, juice and water. Then for dessert there was ice cream. We had five large tubs of different flavors. I was one of several prisoners who had to scoop the ice cream into Styrofoam bowls. And all the food was paid for by the inmates. None of it cost the taxpayers of New York State anything.
For the event, we set up our food serving station right in the middle of the prison's ball field. I had to endure a blazing sun as we had no shade or covering. Fortunately, I had my baseball cap with me. But seeing the faces of the kids as I handed each of them more than generous portions of ice cream made for a wonderful day.
D.B.
