Putnamville donation may help Putnam United Way reach goal

Putnam County United Way Executive Director Jennifer Edwards (second from left) accepts a $500 check recently from Putnamville Correctional Facility Superintendent Stanley Knight (left) and fellow PCF officials Beckie Bennett and Quentin Storm.

PUTNAMVILLE -- Thanks to donations from the Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) several local organizations may reach monetary goals and help youth stay out of prison in the process.

Putnamville recently donated $1,500 to Clay and Putnam County non-profit organizations. Deborah Ringo, YMCA CEO, was one of three recipients to receive a $500 check on behalf of their agency.

"We just started a Strong Kids campaign and you are the first to donate," she told PCF staff members. "One element of the program is educating youth on social responsibility, hoping that it will impact them at an early age so that they don't end up in a place like this."

Other agencies to benefit from the prison's donations were Putnam County United Way, through Executive Director Jennifer Edwards, and to Crime Victim Services via Director Tracie Bridges.

"This was unexpected and it couldn't have come at a better time," Edwards expressed. "We're nearing the end of our quarter and still have a way to go to meet our goal. Maybe your donation will inspire others to do the same."

All of the agency representatives expressed their gratitude and relayed the hardships of operating on a budget comprised of donations during these economic times.

"Everything we need is purchased from money that is donated or items that have been donated to our office," Bridges said. "No one thinks about stationary with letterhead or envelopes or postage needed to mail notifications to victims. This will help a great deal."

Putnamville Superintendent Stanley Knight was equally enthused by the donations.

"We are glad to be able to contribute to organizations that provide numerous services that benefit our families, especially our youth," Knight noted. "The influence that organizations like the YMCA have on youth may determine which side of the fence they end up on."

Proceeds for the donation were generated by Aramark Foodservice through staff lunch sales.

In 2012, Putnamville donated more than $6,950 to community organizations as a result of Aramark proceeds and offender program donations.