The Illinois Department of Corrections estimates that 80-85 percent of incarcerated women are mothers of minor children; national figures estimate that figure at 51 percent for men. That means a whole lot of children will either visit their moms in prison over the holidays, or not see them at all. This year, three groups came together to gather 400 gifts so that moms in Logan Prison in Lincoln, IL would have presents to surprise their kids with when they visit. Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration, the Visible Voices support group of Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM)/Cabrini Green Legal Aid, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ Connections began contacting friends and colleagues. As word spread to communities around Chicago and beyond, donations quickly grew and the goal expanded to include the mothers of Decatur Prison, Division 17 of Cook County Jail, and transitional facilities in Aurora and Chicago. Currently, the groups have received more than 1,300 donated gifts. With an average price of $15 per gift, that’s nearly $19,000 worth of gifts donated in just over three weeks. Donations for local facilities will still be collected this Saturday at a holiday party. The holiday party will take place Saturday, Dec. 13th from 2p.m. to 5p.m., at UE Hall, 37 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL.