Re “Collecting comfort items for children separated from parents,” Free Press Nov. 22-25 edition:

I saw the article posted recently about The Comfort Movement project led by the Free Press’ Cynthia Downing, who is collecting stuffed animals and donations to give to families who have a loved one who is incarcerated through the Assisting Families of Inmates program.

The story and project touched me because my dad had been incarcerated since I was 5 before passing away in prison last year.

After my dad went to prison when I was a kid, I started having nightmares and feeling unsafe. My mom gave me stuffed animals to take with me to bed at night so that I would not feel alone. I took them with me everywhere because they brought me so much comfort.

Because their grief and experiences are rarely recognized and supported, children of incarcerated parents often feel they are alone in their traumatic experience of having a parent or parents incarcerated. It is so encouraging to see that you are not only raising awareness to their needs, but providing them with such sources of comfort.

Thank you for supporting The Comfort Movement project and the needs of families who will be separated from their loved ones this holiday season and year-round. They deserve our ongoing support and recognition.

MELISSA TANIS

New York City