Reelsville Elementary receives donation from offender graduates
PUTNAMVILLE -- Graduates of the Putnamville Correctional Facility's Inside Out Dads program recently presented Reelsville Elementary School representative Angie Nichols with a donation.
In the presence of their children, family and staff, the 30 graduates were awarded certificates for successful completion of the Inside Out Dads program on Friday, June 24.
"We've learned not to be negative, not to yell at our kids or argue with them, but to set a good example," graduate Daniel Reel of Anderson said. "The program has helped us build better interpersonal relationships with our kids and be better parents."
Coordinated by James Bennett and Dwaine Short, offenders are provided instruction and information that promotes positive interaction and responsible parenting.
"Being a father is being involved, so we decided to be involved by doing something that would benefit children," Bennett said.
Over a 12-week period, the 30 graduates saved 310 box tops for donation to the Education Box Top Drive sponsored by the Reelsville Elementary Parent Teachers Organization.
"I had no idea that the facility did things like this," Nichols said. "With the way the budget is, there are a lot of things that we can purchase with this donation to help the kids and the school. Thank you very much."
The Reelsville PTO will receive 10 cents for every box top turned in and will use the proceeds to purchase playground equipment, classroom and general school supplies.
"I am impressed by the level of commitment shown by both graduates and staff," PCF Supt. Stanley Knight said, "and hope that the graduates maintain the same level of commitment once they are reunited with their families."