Inmates donate artwork to help police officer

Laura Hensley of the Bryan-College Station Eagle (Texas) tells the story of the unusual source of help for Donnie Manry, partially paralyzed by West Nile virus last year. Prison inmates are donating their own artwork to help out:

A group of about 15 men incarcerated at the Wallace Pack Unit in Navasota heard about Manry's plight and offered up paintings and other crafts to be auctioned off during an upcoming benefit for the Manry family.

Dub Pearson, one of Manry's close friends and a volunteer prison chaplain, said he initially was approached by an inmate who said he simply wanted to help after learning Pearson was chairman of an April 28 fund-raiser for Manry's family.
The officer, who has not been able to return to work, has incurred more than $300,000 in medical bills over the past few months as he struggles to recover. Pearson said he gladly accepted the inmate's offer.

Many were inspired by Manry's determination and hard work after doctors said he'd never walk again, Pearson said. Although his recovery has been slow, Manry can now walk short distances with the help of a walker.

"We know [the inmates] very well," said Pearson, who also teaches a class through The Association of Ex-Offenders at the prison once a week. "The first thing you learn about inmates is that they are people and they have a soul. They are loving, caring people. Many of them are just like your next-door neighbor."