The Utah Prisoner Advocate Network (UPAN) is excited to announce a heartwarming new initiative for this holiday season: the 2024 UPAN Holiday Project, “All Hearts Come Home for the Holidays.” Organized by UPAN Director of Special Projects, Karen Thompson, this program is dedicated to bringing holiday cheer to children with an incarcerated parent in Utah’s prison system. We believe that no child should feel forgotten during this special time of year, and through the generosity of our UPAN family, we aim to brighten the lives of these children.

How to Apply for the 2024 UPAN Holiday Project:
Recipient Applications Now Open

UPAN is reaching out to families in need of holiday gifts for children aged 0-18 years who have a parent currently incarcerated in Utah’s prison system. Our 2024 UPAN Holiday Project, “All Hearts Come Home for the Holidays,” is now accepting applications, and we encourage families to apply early.

Who Can Apply?

If your child has a parent incarcerated in the Utah Department of Corrections, you are eligible to receive holiday gift assistance. This initiative ensures that children of incarcerated parents are not forgotten this holiday season by connecting them with generous sponsors who will provide gifts via Amazon.com.

Application Details

Application Deadline

All requests must be received by November 1, 2024, to ensure timely delivery before the holidays.

How to Submit Your Application

Please print this PDF and mail your completed application to:

UPAN All Hearts Come Home for the Holidays 2024
P.O. Box 33
Layton, Utah 84041

Don’t wait! Submit your application as soon as possible to secure a spot in this year’s program. We look forward to helping make your holiday season brighter.

How to Donate / Give

Beginning on November 10, 2024, a curated UPAN 2024 Gift List will be created on the Amazon Gift Registry. This list will be posted on the UPAN website (here) and Facebook page, UPAN Family Support Group, and UPAN Volunteers / Committees Working Group. It will contain the first name, gender, and age of each child, along with their clothing and shoe sizes, as well as one “want” and one “need” per child. Generous donors can choose to sponsor a child by selecting a gift from the list or by choosing other similar gifts based on the child’s sizes and requests.

Gift cards are also a welcome option for those who wish to contribute but prefer to give the family the flexibility to purchase their child’s gift.

Important Guidelines

While any gift is a wonderful contribution, we kindly ask that sponsors limit their spending to no more than $150 per child. Many children in this program have siblings, and we want to ensure that all participants feel equally supported.

Gifts should be purchased and delivered through Amazon by December 10-15th, 2024, allowing ample time for holiday delivery. Amazon’s delivery service ensures that gifts will reach children statewide in Utah while maintaining the anonymity of the donors.

Confidentiality and Safety

All deliveries will be handled by Amazon, and the delivery address will only be shared with them. This ensures that the identity of the child and sponsor remains confidential.

How to Get Involved

If you’d like to participate, visit the UPAN website and Facebook page starting on November 10, 2024, where the UPAN 2024 Gift List will be posted. Whether you choose a gift or opt for a gift card, your contribution will help make the holidays brighter for children who might otherwise be overlooked during this time of year.

For any questions, feel free to contact Karen Thompson, UPAN Director of Special Projects, at [email protected].

Make a Difference This Holiday Season

We invite you to join us in spreading joy and love this holiday season. By becoming a sponsor, you are not only giving a gift but also showing a child that they are cared for, remembered, and valued. Your generosity will help ensure that “All Hearts Come Home for the Holidays” this year. Check this page frequently for any updates or announcements.