Valdosta Daily Times

Local News

July 6, 2009

Volunteers sworn in for service

Eight volunteers were recently sworn in by Judge Clay Tomlinson and Judge Jody Steedley to serve as official Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers for the Alapaha Judicial Circuit. After completing 30 hours of intensive classroom training and 10 hours of observation and research, these community volunteers will serve as court appointees to advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected or abandoned children in juvenile court proceedings. The CASA volunteers will gather information and research cases, attend court proceedings, and make recommendations to the judge to help guide the best decision for each child’s future.

The following volunteers, representing Cook and Berrien counties, were sworn in: Ken Block, Billy Exum, Evelyn Fox, Dane Heard, Matt Jansen, Lynn Mills, Garland Pendergraph, and Gina Sumler.

The ceremony and celebration dinner was hosted by Cook County Family Connection through their Hands On Georgia Challenge Grant which encourages and supports community service and volunteerism. Zoe Myers, director of Cook County Family Connection, presented opening comments and congratulated the volunteers for their commitment. State Rep. Penny Houston served as guest speaker for the event, emphasizing the importance of the role the volunteers will play in ensuring the well-being of abused and neglected children.

After being sworn in, the volunteers and their guests enjoyed a steak dinner prepared and served by the Family Connection staff and volunteers. Special thanks went to Jennifer Lovett, Family Connection program manager, for organizing and coordinating the dinner, and also to Piggly Wiggly of Adel for providing prime cuts of steak as a partial donation for the event.

Elaine Douglas, director of the Alapaha Circuit CASA Program, presented each volunteer with a Certificate of Achievement and provided closing comments.

The Alapaha Circuit CASA Program is designed to serve the counties of Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook and Lanier.

To learn more, contact Elaine Douglas at (229) 686-6576 or elaine.douglas@berrien.k12.ga.us.

Local News
  • Chile Inaguration_McNe.jpg Quakes torment Chile as president sworn in

    The earth shook and shook Thursday as dignitaries walked in for the swearing-in of Sebastian Pinera as Chile’s president. It shook some more as they waited for him.

    March 11, 2010 2 Photos

  • Rezone of Gornto Road on hold

    Residents worried about a possible rezone of residential property on Gornto Road will have to wait another 60 days for a decision from Valdosta’s City Council.

    March 11, 2010

  • Georgia system to defend poor still reeling

    Georgia’s public defender system is still trying to recover its financial footing five years after a courthouse gunman racked up a $3 million taxpayer-funded defense tab on the way to his conviction.

    March 11, 2010

  • Night Moves for Friday March 12, 2010

    March 11, 2010

  • Echols County hosts all-school reunion

    The Sixth Biennial Echols County Schools Reunion is scheduled for this weekend.  If you attended, worked at, or sent your children to any Echols County school, you are invited.
     

    March 11, 2010

  • Kiss Me, I’m Hahirish

    Downtown Hahira will host Green Day on Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Activities include a cleanup, a chili cook-off, a parade and more.
     

    March 11, 2010

  • In Friday's edition of The Valdosta Daily Times

    6 P.M. UPDATE:  Here is a list of some of the stories and photos that will be featured in Friday's edition of The Valdosta Daily Times:

    • Valdosta City Council discusses the rezoning of Gornto Road.

    • Sebastian Pinera is hurriedly sworn in as Chile's first elected right-wing president in 50 years.

    • Georgia's public defender system is  still trying to recover its financial footing.

    • Hahira prepares for Green Day activities on Saturday.

    March 11, 2010

  • Flood watch in effect through tonight

    NOON UPDATE: According to The National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Fla., Lowndes County remains under a flood watch until 7 p.m. tonight. The same is true for the counties of Berrien, Brooks, Cook and Lanier.

    March 11, 2010

  • Obama_McNe.jpg Obama pushing on health care end game

    President Barack Obama is pushing a new anti-fraud plan and his top health official is challenging the nation’s insurers as the administration cranks up the pressure for a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s medical system.

    March 10, 2010 2 Photos

  • State must hand over $18 million

    Georgia’s top lawyer says the state must hand over $18 million in disputed sales tax revenue to local governments in the midst of a crippling state budget crunch.

    March 10, 2010

VDT Featuring

Business Marquee

AP Video

VDT Twitter

Follow me on Twitter

Hyperlocal Search

Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Subscribe Today

Sports

More

  • More

    March 2, 2010

Weather:

Community Calendar

Loading…
Events by eviesays.com

Promotions

Poll

Has your job been affected by the economy?

A. No
B. Yes but I'm still getting raises
C. Yes but I'm being furloughed
D. Yes, I was laid off
     View Results