(Those of you who have gotten to know Beth may be interested to know that) Beth spent twenty years as a volunteer in a federal prison, providing programs for the inmates and their children.
Initially, Beth’s husband Bob began going into Beaver Creek Institution, which houses over 700 inmates in both minimum- and maximum security settings, to offer Christian spiritual services. Later, Beth joined the small group of volunteers from the nearby Gravenhurst community.
She continued after Bob died to attend weekly meetings with twelve to fifteen inmates.
The volunteers knew the inmates they met with had committed offences ranging from theft to armed robbery and murder. They were never told specifics and never asked, because they wanted to remain objective and treat all of them the same. Some Sundays, Beth picked up an inmate at the prison and drove him to Sunday church services in the
local community. …“I was never afraid,” Beth says. “I always trusted that the Lord was looking out for me.”
The group meetings focused on Christian spirituality and activities, including bible study and singing hymns. The prison chaplain played guitar, and a… volunteer played piano to accompany the singing. Every week, Beth baked a cake to take to the meetings, and “we had sort of a party and laughed a lot.”
Beth is proudest of her work in launching and participating in the Children of Inmates Reading Program (CHIRP) at the institution. Inmates read stories from children’s book that the volunteers recorded on disc. The discs and the books were sent to the inmates’ families where the children get to hear Daddy reading to them and can read along with him. “The dads love it and so do the children. The kids can hardly wait for the next disc to arrive,” Beth says. Sometimes, the fathers break into tears knowing they are reading to their kids, and in gratitude to the volunteers for providing the opportunity to do so…
The prisoners she worked with appreciated Beth’s commitment, and their friendships have endured… She receives birthday cards from inmates who are still at Beaver Creek. The sentiments expressed in cards from three inmates tell you how they feel and everything you need to know about the caring individual Beth is:
“Beth, our little chapel at Beaver Creek just hasn’t been the same without you. Thank you for always bringing such wonderful sunshine and love into our lives.”
“It’s wonderful people like you that give us hope. Thank you for being you. God bless you!”
“Thank you for all you do. You mean the world to us, and we thank you for your dedication, your kindness and your thoughtfulness.”
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