Holiday Gift for Wallace!
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
I'm sending around this GoFundMe to try to raise money for a substantial holiday gift to my friend, Wallace Blocker. Wallace is currently incarcerated in the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, CA, and does not have an extensive support network (who are able to provide him with money) on the outside. I know that most of you know a decent amount about how prisons work. Almost everything that Wallace needs, he has to buy: deodorant, shampoo, snacks, all of the everyday necessities that we rely on to feel comfortable. This holiday, I'm trying to raise a lump sum of money for Wallace, to deposit into his commissary account, so he can have a few months of not having to worry about having access to soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other basic life necessities.
A little about Wallace, and how I know him: Wallace and I have been corresponding via letters for a little over a year. A friend of ours--- the late Amanda Harris-- introduced us, as Amanda also wrote back and forth with Wallace. Wallace and I are about the same age (he's a 36 year old Taurus), we're both gay, and we're both big readers and writers. Wallace is a tireless correspondent and an amazing storyteller. He sends me a letter every week, and we exchange stories about our lives, relationships with friends and lovers, and talk about the many things that we both care about. Getting to know Wallace has been one of the highlights, for me, of 2016. Wallace is just a really sweet, thoughtful person, who also has an excellent sense of humor.
Prisons are, as we all know, extremely exploitative. Phone calls and basic necessities (again, Wallace regularly asks me to send him things like deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo through the Union Direct prisoner supply program; there is no other way to get toiletries or other necessities to people who are locked up in RJD) are expensive, vastly more expensive than they are for those of us on the outside. Wallace has very limited access to work in RJD, and the work that *does* exist there pays well under $1.00/hr. Without a support network that can offer financial assistance, Wallace is often left unable to purchase the most basic things he needs to feel comfortable. I am collecting money for Wallace to make a donation to his commissary account, so he will be able to purchase what he needs for several months without having to worry about it.
Because donating directly to Wallace's commissary account will incur a $3.95 charge per donation, I thought I would try to raise a lump sum of funds for Wallace, here, and then donate it all at once, to his account. I will personally cover the gofundme fees (typically 5% of the total), and provide receipts to all who donated.
Accountability:
All money donated will be deposited in Wallace's commissary account. None will contribute to "offender restitution."
I will personally pay the $3.95 JPay fee, and however much GoFundMe takes from the total donations (typically 5%).
I will provide a receipt to everyone who donates, and to anyone who would like to see one.
Wallace will receive all the money we have collected on December 24th, 2016.
This collection website was developed with Wallace's permission and endorsement.
If anyone would feel more comfortable donating to Wallace directly, PLEASE DO SO! It's easy: just go to www.jpay.com, and set up an account. Once you do, you can search for Wallace Blocker, F22428. He will come up under:
Wallace Blocker, F22428, California Department Of Corrections & Rehabilitation
Being a disgusting, exploitative prison industrial complex website, JPay.com charges $3.95 for donations (down from the $6.95 per donation they charged until about a month ago.) Then donate away! Every little bit helps! Wallace will be STOKED.
Also, are you interested in corresponding with Wallace? or with other incarcerated people who are locked up with him in RJD? Wallace is interested in more penpals, and has friends who are, too. Email me at greta dot lafleur at gmail dot com, and I'll put you in touch!
I'm sending around this GoFundMe to try to raise money for a substantial holiday gift to my friend, Wallace Blocker. Wallace is currently incarcerated in the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, CA, and does not have an extensive support network (who are able to provide him with money) on the outside. I know that most of you know a decent amount about how prisons work. Almost everything that Wallace needs, he has to buy: deodorant, shampoo, snacks, all of the everyday necessities that we rely on to feel comfortable. This holiday, I'm trying to raise a lump sum of money for Wallace, to deposit into his commissary account, so he can have a few months of not having to worry about having access to soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other basic life necessities.
A little about Wallace, and how I know him: Wallace and I have been corresponding via letters for a little over a year. A friend of ours--- the late Amanda Harris-- introduced us, as Amanda also wrote back and forth with Wallace. Wallace and I are about the same age (he's a 36 year old Taurus), we're both gay, and we're both big readers and writers. Wallace is a tireless correspondent and an amazing storyteller. He sends me a letter every week, and we exchange stories about our lives, relationships with friends and lovers, and talk about the many things that we both care about. Getting to know Wallace has been one of the highlights, for me, of 2016. Wallace is just a really sweet, thoughtful person, who also has an excellent sense of humor.
Prisons are, as we all know, extremely exploitative. Phone calls and basic necessities (again, Wallace regularly asks me to send him things like deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo through the Union Direct prisoner supply program; there is no other way to get toiletries or other necessities to people who are locked up in RJD) are expensive, vastly more expensive than they are for those of us on the outside. Wallace has very limited access to work in RJD, and the work that *does* exist there pays well under $1.00/hr. Without a support network that can offer financial assistance, Wallace is often left unable to purchase the most basic things he needs to feel comfortable. I am collecting money for Wallace to make a donation to his commissary account, so he will be able to purchase what he needs for several months without having to worry about it.
Because donating directly to Wallace's commissary account will incur a $3.95 charge per donation, I thought I would try to raise a lump sum of funds for Wallace, here, and then donate it all at once, to his account. I will personally cover the gofundme fees (typically 5% of the total), and provide receipts to all who donated.
Accountability:
All money donated will be deposited in Wallace's commissary account. None will contribute to "offender restitution."
I will personally pay the $3.95 JPay fee, and however much GoFundMe takes from the total donations (typically 5%).
I will provide a receipt to everyone who donates, and to anyone who would like to see one.
Wallace will receive all the money we have collected on December 24th, 2016.
This collection website was developed with Wallace's permission and endorsement.
If anyone would feel more comfortable donating to Wallace directly, PLEASE DO SO! It's easy: just go to www.jpay.com, and set up an account. Once you do, you can search for Wallace Blocker, F22428. He will come up under:
Wallace Blocker, F22428, California Department Of Corrections & Rehabilitation
Being a disgusting, exploitative prison industrial complex website, JPay.com charges $3.95 for donations (down from the $6.95 per donation they charged until about a month ago.) Then donate away! Every little bit helps! Wallace will be STOKED.
Also, are you interested in corresponding with Wallace? or with other incarcerated people who are locked up with him in RJD? Wallace is interested in more penpals, and has friends who are, too. Email me at greta dot lafleur at gmail dot com, and I'll put you in touch!
Organizer
Greta LaFleur
Organizer
New Haven, CT
