Legion post in correctional facility helps with slowing down COVID-19

American Legion Post 201 inside the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC) was chartered in early 2017, becoming the first of its kind in the state. The 34 Legionnaires and 25 Sons of The American Legion members of the post have been active from the start with volunteer efforts that support ISCC’s inmates and the surrounding Boise community.

Several Post 201 members are volunteering their time to make cloth face masks for ISCC staff members and inmates, and the general public to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

Post 201 Commander Albert Ciccone told the Idaho Press that making the masks was another way to give back. “It makes you feel like a citizen of this world, because we all want to come together and help out,” he said. “That’s redeeming in here.”

Idaho Department of Correction officials would like at least 30,000 face masks to be made for individuals to receive three each. As of April 10, the ISCC has not had a confirmed COVID-19 case; however, having the masks ready is a way to prepare for when that day comes and mask-wearing is mandatory. Materials to make the masks have all been donated, and inmates are using sewing machines to make them.

Besides helping to make face masks, Post and Squadron 201 members completed 235 hours of deep cleaning because of COVID-19 in the month of March alone. Those hours are part of the 1,066 service hours the members completed last month, which Ciccone shared with department leadership. Other service hours last month included:

• Bike shop: 268 hours and 46 bikes completed. The donated bikes refurbished by the post members are provided to local children at no cost to their families.

• Color guard: 10 hours due to coronavirus restrictions.

• Crochet: 150 hours of making blankets that Abrahamson has picked up and then delivered to a women’s shelter for newborn babies, and to the veterans home in Pocatello and Boise.

• Toy cleaning: nine hours of cleaning toys in the visiting room for inmates.

• Weeds and Seeds: 68 hours

• Poppies: 271 hours and 3,150 made for the Department of Idaho Auxiliary.

• Covid-19 cleaning: 235 hours.