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.

Text Only
Local News
  • mqdefault.jpg Weekend preview with Brittany McClure

    Find out what's going on this weekend with Brittany McClure.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120524 pnut lady4.jpg Popular vendor taken out of the ballparks

    With a wagon-load of fresh cakes, hot boiled peanuts and ice-cold bottled water she has witnessed generations of children, or as she refers to them, her angels, grow into adults with children of their own.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • ELECTION-graphic.jpg Three candidates file for election

    Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries continue with the addition of a couple new candidates interested in running for elected office.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • money.jpg City, county tax discussions stalled

    Local Option Sales Tax “negotiations” between city and county officials have descended from open meetings to a stalemate, with no clear agreement on how the estimated $210 million in tax revenue should be split.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • valdosta high principal.jpg Valdosta High principal to retire

    After one year as Valdosta High School principal, Rufus McDuffie has announced his retirement.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bryan Don by Prop 8x10 HQ.jpg South Georgia’s Ace

    High above war-torn Germany, World War II fighter ace Donald S. “Bush” Bryan led his flight toward an estimated 50 enemy aircraft.

    May 24, 2012 3 Photos

  • Arraignment set for Quitman 11

    The “Quitman Eleven” are scheduled to have an arraignment on May 29, Brooks County Courthouse, according to their attorney, Roy Copeland.

    May 24, 2012

  • Qualifying opens

    Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries kicked off Wednesday and plenty of folks tossed their proverbial hats in the ring on opening day.

    May 24, 2012

  • 120522 fire3.jpg Fire on Ridgeway Drive

    No injuries were reported after a fire broke out Tuesday morning at an 800 block Ridgeway Drive house.

    May 23, 2012 2 Photos

  • staciawatkins.jpg Lowndes High grad part of ABC’s ‘Duets’


    VALDOSTA — A Lowndes High School graduate is expected to be a part of the debut episode of the new ABC talent-search show “Duets” premiering this week.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

Top News
Choose your subscription:
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Poll

With schools out, how will your kids spend the day?

Day care / camps
Summer school
With a parent
Spending summer away
Old enough to be alone
     View Results