Photo detail

Photo detail

A piano player sits In the distance at the end of the row of tables heaped with 1,200 toys. He is providing atmosphere for Christmas Angel, the annual OAR gift-wrapping event. More than 200 volunteers have signed up to wrap presents from 18-month-old Desmond Roberts (he's a ferocious wrapper) to regulars who have been participating for years. The gifts will be delivered by volunteers to almost 400 children of incarcerated individuals, each gift accompanied by a message for the child written by the incarcerated parent. OAR is a “community-based restorative justice organization, blending compassion and accountability to assist offenders in leading productive and responsible lives.” It was established in 1974 by a local group of women from Arlington who volunteered in jails and saw a need for ongoing support of prisoners and ex-offenders.