March 11, 2017

Marley's Mission.org

From Prison Dad by Robert Pezzeca (author's profile)

Transcription

Marley's Mission.org

2/26/17
11:00 am
Watching M*A*S*H

Hi. If anyone remembers this TV show, it is funny. I grew up watching it with my mom.

I want to tell you about Marley's Mission. And after you hear the story, if you want to make a donation, please check them out online. On July 2009, a 5-year-old girl namde Kodee was brutally raped and beaten half to death by a neighbor in her bedroom. He was arrested and given a life sentence in prison for this brutal crime against a baby.

I met the mom, April, two days ago. She came to speak to us who take the Impact of Crime group. Her story was heartbreaking. Not a dry eye in the room. To hear how Kodee was hurt so badly, how her family was destroyed over this—it was heartbreaking. But we are learning of the ripple effect. In the beginning, they received about $5,000 in donations and the only thing that would bring Kodee out of her shell was a horse. So they bought her a horse named Strawberry. Long story short: Kodee fell in love with this horse. She is now a 12-year-old kid who still remembers her attack, but she is okay with her mom coming to prisons and telling their story.

The mom started a non-profit organization that helps kids who have been abused called Marley's Mission. Please feel free to look it up. Was an amazing story, how something so good came from something so horrific and tragic. If anyone wants to help this place that helps kids, please do so. I have asked the Lifers Organization here to send them a $500 donation. I hope it gets approved by the prison administration.

Two 13-year-old girls were murdered in Indiana, I believe: Abagail Williams and Liberty "Libby" German. Two friends hiking on a trail at 1 PM, last heard from at 2 PM. Our CNN channel has been out for three days, but I hope they have caught the man who robbed these two babies of their lives. There is never a reason to take a child's life. These stories really bother me.

My last one for today is in California, taxpayers will pay for the first prisoner to received sex reassignment surgery. Shiloh Quine, a 57-year-old in life for murder. Taxpayers will pay for it. He will then be sent to a women's prison. I don't understand how our food is so bad. They are always cutting corners and taking away from us, saying it's to save taxpayers' money, but then they use over $250,000 to pay for a sex change surgery? Makes no sense to me.

Well, that's all for today. I just wanted to tell you about Marley's Mission and hope people out there wanna help them. Take care. Was 70 degrees two days ago, now it's 30. So keep enjoying winter. God bless, ciao.

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Replies (3) Replies feed

j.c. Posted 7 years, 9 months ago. ✓ Mailed 7 years, 9 months ago   Favorite
Thanks for bringing my attention to Marley's Mission! What a cool program! I'm going to follow them on Facebook.

I used to volunteer with an equine therapy program, but it was geared toward people with physical disabilities. The horses helped the clients with things like confidence, too, but it was considered more of a side benefit.

Please tell us more about your Lifer's Organization and how it is able to donate money to places on the outside. I'm curious to know where the money comes from and how the group decides where it will go? Would you say 'giving back' is important to the lifers?

j.c.

Robert Pezzeca Posted 7 years, 9 months ago.   Favorite
(scanned reply – view as blog post)

j.c. Posted 7 years, 8 months ago. ✓ Mailed 7 years, 8 months ago   Favorite
Hi Rob,

It feels good to chat on here where we're not limited by number of characters! Thanks for the additional info on the Lifer's Organization. It sounds cool and I think it's great you do that. I'm not sure if there is any program like that in the MI prisons. I've never heard of it if there is.

I'm also really glad you are making good contacts on the outside. This Keir Bradford-Gray sounds like an excellent one. Keep me informed. I like the idea of your mentoring program. I'm well familiar with the video visiting - it's what they had in the county jail when T was in there. I didn't get to see her in person except in court and after she went to prison. I'm sure you can do a lot to help those kids. So many are looking for a good adult figure - and your outlook would make you an excellent mentor.

I worked pretty hard this week on trying to get T her dentures. Following the advice of Humanity for Prisoners, I first obtained a letter from her dentist explaining the risks of not having them. Then I wrote a letter to Health Services and also cc'ed the Warden. I think it was pretty compelling. Sent it out certified mail just now. Keep your fingers crossed!

T is lucky to have family support from her mom and dad. The rest of her family, not so much. Her parents don't have much money and both suffer from some health issues, but they have really stepped up to the plate as far as visiting. I think they go every other week or so. Her dad in particular is in bad shape and in a wheelchair and her mom takes care of him, and seems overwhelmed a lot of the time. That's why I try to help out by being her POA and getting her business taken care of because they don't need that added stress.

You asked about her TV and tablet. I know about the TV since I visited recently and she told me all about it. It's 13" and I believe it cost around $200. With shipping and tax it was close to $240. The JPay tablets are new and they don't have them yet, but everyone is getting excited for them. She told me the initial cost will be $10 if you buy one the first month they come out, but I am skeptical on that one. I see they are around $80 in prisons in other states. I think the song prices are close to what you mention. It will help her stay in touch so much better. She only gets 10 minutes twice a week at the JPay kiosk, and has to order commissary and do all her emailing in that time. So all her emails are one sentence long, not super helpful.

Better run for now, I'm sure we'll be talking on the email soon about the more time-sensitive stuff but it's nice to keep in touch here too.

Later,
j.c.

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