Volunteers prepare over 16,000 Easter gift bags for SC inmates

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — As Easter approaches, one Christian organization wants inmates across South Carolina to know that they are loved — and not forgotten.

The initiative is a joint effort with the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina and the SC Department of Corrections– preparing over 16,000 gift bags for distribution to inmates across the state.

Each bag is filled with toiletries and motivational books for incarcerated women and men to enjoy.

Dr. Jamey Graham, President of the convention, references the book of Matthew from the Bible, saying, “Jesus said, you know I’m separating the sheep from goats. He honored the sheep saying, when I was hungry you fed me, when I was sick you visited me, when I was sick you came and saw about me. So he says when you did this to the least of mine, you’ve done it to me.”

The event happens twice a year near Easter and Christmas, rotating churches within the convention. This time, taking place inside Bethlehem Baptist Church’s Wiley Kennedy Family Life Center.

SC Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling believes the small act of kindness has a huge impact on the inmates.

“I think it means a lot to them that someone cares and someone is praying for them on the outside — it’s uplifting,” he says.

And it’s been going on for nearly 30 years now –created by Rev. George Windley, Sr. — who passed away in 2024.

His son, Rev. George Windley, Jr. is the pastor of First Baptist Missionary Church out of Sumter.

“I know Dad is smiling from heaven. He loved working in the prison. His time being a senior chaplain and ministering to the men and women in the state and he saw a connection between the church and the prison, close to 30 years ago, and to see it still going, brings a smile to my face,” he says, with volunteers working for over five hours to fill the 16,000 bags.