Letters to the Quest Institute
Below are just some of the many letters we have received from inmates, volunteers, and benefactors of Books Behind Bars.
This was sent to us by an inmate in long hand . . .
Our Angelic Visitor
You don't really know us,
You never ask us of our past-
being where we are in life-
You judge us not,
No stone do you cast. . .
The sweet love that you display
is genuine and sincere.
We know the only reason
is so we can have a fresh start.
You humor us so and we
thank you for all you do. . .
The only thing we can offer
To each of you in return
is to love you unconditionally too.
with this person He has made.
Just knowing we are new
and the important part
each of you have played.
Our families near and far
wish to thank you, too
for helping us to repair our lives
and remove the demons inside--
forgetting our ways of bitterness and desparation.
So someday when we are released
from the house of razor wire
concrete and cold, cold steel
and no longer are we a prisoner
behind these walls of despair--
We'll come back once more
To the place where it all started
and repay our debt to the angelic visitor.
Dear Quest Bookshop,
Im currently studing for my GED. im originally from Cambodia and have diffulculty with the English languis. My readin level is at a 4.4 level I would like to request four book tha my improve my chances of receiging a GED.
The first book is A dictionary, a thesaurus, an almanac, and a geography book of the world or Cambodia.
If these is not available a book on world history, scien book a history of Mafia in the USA.
I sincerly appreciate youre generousity and thank you for you time and consideration.
Respectfully yours,
RR
Sent a $5.00 money order!
September 21, 2006
Dear Ms. K. Allison
I just wanted to thank you for the services in which you provide. There are many like me who are trying to improve themselves, and throug your services that has become a little easier. Thank you.
Respectfully,
JCB
Dear Quest,
Thank you for not forgetting about us.
Thank you for volunteering your time.
Thank you for your love.
Because of you all I am able to share what I learn with others. You don't even know me yet I've learned so much from all of you. You all selflessly give of yourselves and your example has allowed me to "pass it forward."
. . . We are what we think! Because of people like you I am changing I want to share that for the first time in my life I know SELFLESSNESS. Thank you!
JWP
Kay,
I've been ordering books from you since '07 right after I were in Dec 06. I just wanted to personally thank you for heling me with your free book service. To add on to that you always be the gems. I read on the street too. Originally from the west coast. I've lived a very nomadic experience so I was never anywhere long enough to make friends. But I could always make it to the library or bookstore. Anyway, thank you. I sincerely appreciate this.
In solidariaty
KB
PS. I am not looking or wanting a response. I just can't keep getting these books without sending personal thank yous to show my appreciation, so I will be writing again.
Hi Ms. KAY,
I want you to know that Im very greatful for you. What you do for us unmatched by anyone. And for that I say thanks!
I don't know if you remember me. But you helped me last year and I got my GED. On my pre-test I scored kind of low in reading. By reading more often, I scored the highest in my class. How awesome is that?
Anyways, I know your busy so I won't drag this letter out. OK? I tend to get long winded like a Stephen King book . . . Ha! Ha! Ha!
I would like for you to please send me 5 more books.
*LAW DICTIONARY
*2008 ALMANAC
*JAMES PATTERSON-ROSES ARE RED ( OR ANY TITLE)
*ANNE RICE-PANDORA OR ANY TITLE
*A GOOD JOKE BOOK
Thank you KAY! You stay in my prayers!
SG
DEAR, MRS.ALLISON,
MY NAME IS ______. I AM CURRENTLY AT WALLENS RIDGE STATE PRISON. I WAS GIVEN YOUR ADDRESS BY A FELLOW INMAEK WHO TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR BOOK SHOP.
I AM NOT TRYING TO BE A BURDEN, BUT I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD SEND ME THE FOLLOWING BOOKS.
1. MEDICAL DICTIONARY
2. COLLEGE DICTIONARY
3. BLACK HISTORY
4. RELIGION-(BUDDHISM CHRISTIANITY)
5. CRIMINAL LAW HANDBOOK
6. ART BOOKS.
#THESAURUS
#REVOLUTIONARY
#SLAVERY
I TRUELY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR BOOKSHOP CAUSE IT IS SO HELPFUL TO INMATES LIKE ME WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD BOOKS.
YOURS TRUELY
KJ
Dear Quest Books,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the generous donation of books that you provided to the men. I have made them available to the men we spoke about. It is always a blessing to receive donations. That is the only way I am able to provide materials to the men. If in the future you find other materials that are appropriate to donate, please feel free to forward them to me.
Thank you again, and may you continue to be blessed.
Yours in Christ,
Chaplain
Dear Ms. Allison,
I am writing on behalf of the residents at White Post Diversion Center to express our sincere gratitude for the numerous books you graciously donated to our facility. We were truly impressed with the variety and quality of your gift. We have been so lacking in our reading materials that our residents have been starved from the peace, knowledge, and freedom that books can provide. I cannot adequately describe the excitement and joy that was evident on their faces when they saw the books being unpacked.
The gift that you have given will bring countless hours of enjoyment to many individuals that would have otherwise remained in the confines of their mind.
With all of our sincerest thanks,
LBM
Dear Ms. Allison,
On behalf of the inmates at August Correctional Center, I am writing to thank you for the four boxes of books you donated to our library. I especially appreciate the care with which you selected the books for us. Most of the books wil be catalogued for our libraries: general population and segregation. The blance will be shared with the academic classrooms for their classroom libraries.
As you can imagine, reading is a popular past time for inmakes, and they welcome the opportunity to select from new titles. Thank you again for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
LAS
Dear Quest,
Thank you very much for the five books I received yesterday from you. Your kindness is much appreciated. These books will open new windows for me. I am grateful to you for this opportunity. Thanks and thanks again!
Many greetings,
K
Thank you very much for the Gift of the Spanish English dictionary. it has been indispensable in our learning the English language and the proper use there of. I could not have learned half as much in the same the time without it. Once again, thank you for your interest.
" THANK YOU!"
YOUR MOST GENEROUS INVITAION TO RECEIVE A "FREE" DICTIONARY, IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. I WRITE MANY LETTERS AND AM INVOLVED IN SEVERAL PROGRAMS WHERE A STRONG VOCABULARY ARE REQUIRED. A DICTIONARY IS GREAT FOR THE BASICS; SPELLING OF COURSE, AND MY FAVORITE WORD PROCESSING. (THE RIGHT WORDS, FOR THE RIGHT SENTENCES, ETC . . .) AGAIN, LET ME SAY, 'THANK YOU.' KEEP ON WITH YOUR GOOD WORKS!
THE PERSONAL PROPERTY FORM IS ENCLOSED AS REQUESTED, WITH APPROVAL.
T
P.S. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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