John,

After spending more time in prison than any other exonerated Innocence Project client, Marvin Grimm Jr. will finally get the opportunity to celebrate his first Christmas as an exonerated man. And it’ll be the first time the entire family will be together in decades. Marvin had been prohibited from seeing his great-nephew due to the nature of his charge and status on the sex offender registry. That all changed when he was exonerated in June.

For over four decades, Marvin had emotionally distanced himself from the holidays because, to him, the holidays were just another day in prison. These days of celebration that were once spent with his sisters, parents, and family were now just a reminder of what he’d lost: 45 years of his life.

Still, he never gave up hope. Now free and exonerated, he’s finally allowing himself to feel more engaged and be present alongside his sisters and family during the holiday season.

John: Time and again, we see how wrongful conviction, while taking the biggest toll on those imprisoned, also heavily impacts families, friends, and communities. During a time of year that’s supposed to bring people together, there are families of wrongfully convicted people who are spending their holidays apart, all because the criminal legal system has failed them.

This is why the work we do here at the Innocence Project is so important. In helping free or exonerate wrongfully convicted people, we’re also helping them rebuild their lives so that, like Marvin, they can once again be reunited with their loved ones and spend special moments, like the holidays, with the people they care about.

"For anybody who's interested in what's been going on at the Innocence Project and see the people that they are helping get out of prison for giant crimes they didn't commit, do what your heart feels and donate to them,” Marvin said recently.

John, if you have a moment to spare and want to help us continue our critical work to restore freedom for people like Marvin and their families, consider making a holiday donation today.

Your contribution will help us amplify the innocence movement and prevent future injustices.

— Innocence Project

P.S. All donations through Dec. 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous donor. Give today.