Lions and Tigers and Bears...

Aren’t the Only Things Inmates Made for the Needy at Christmas

Inmates and DOC employees helped contribute to needy families. Here is a sampling of their generous efforts.

APALACHEE CI inmates made over 400 wooden toys and stuffed dolls for Jackson County Teen Parent Program, Leon County Senior Citizens, Healthy Families and DCF.

AVON PARK CI inmates repaired over 45 bicycles and 42 toys for the local community.

BAKER CI’s Vocational Cabinet Shop made 75 wooden toys such as banks, doll carriages, cradles, children’s rocking chairs, push toys, trucks, rocking horses and wagons. In addition, the employees donated stuffed toys to attach to each wooden toy. Dolls were added to the cradles and carriages and big teddy bears were added to the rocking chairs. Matchbox trucks, cars and toys were given to the local families within the school systems.

BREVARD CI’s Vocational Carpentry Shop made 175 toys including trains, cars, trucks, doll cradles, art easels and checkerboards. Vocational Instructor Michael Ramos was instrumental in this successful project. Toys were distributed to underprivileged children and to Crosswinds Youth Services, which operates a runaway shelter and has many other programs for troubled youth. The employee’s club and FCCD Chapter 20 provided items to put in toys as well as food donations. Brevard CI employees also contributed food and presents to the children at Crosswinds.

BROWARD CI’s Fashion Design Program manufactured children’s clothes and dolls that were donated to Miami’s Children’s Homeless Center, Jackson Hospital Pediatric Center of Miami, Sisters in the Hood of Jacksonville, Children’s Cancer Center at Shands Hospital in Gainesville and Central Office to be forwarded to the First Lady of Florida Columba Bush for distribution to various organizations.

This program at Broward CI has made over 7,000 dolls and clothes since 1991. Citizens donate the materials, instructors utilize the donated materials to teach and inmates learn a skill and produce donations for children.

CALHOUN CI inmates made over 100 toys such as airplanes, wooden cars, rocking horses, building blocks and more. The toys were given to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.

CFRC South Unit made over 1,300 teddy bears that were donated to the Aids Foundation (Hug-Me-Program), NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance), September 11 victims and local fire and police departments.

CENTURY CI inmates made 2,000 toys that were donated to Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital, Shriners, day care centers, fire departments, Escambia and Santa Rosa Police Department and Sandy Sansing Chevrolet’s Angel Tree Program.

COLUMBIA and CROSS CITY CI made 1,400 toys that were sent to Central Office and distributed to the Tallahassee Urban League, Angel Tree, Head Start and the Children’s Home Society.

GAINESVILLE CI Work Camp refurbished and delivered over 330 bicycles to the local community.

HARDEE CI inmates made 245 wooden toys, rockers, stick ponies, etc. Inmates refurbished approximately 200 bikes donated by citizens and staff throughout the year. Inmates fixed the bikes up by sanding, painting, fixing tires, chains, and seats. Staff delivered the bikes, wooden toys and stuffed toys (donated by staff) to needy families in the community.

HOLMES CI refinished 119 bicycles and distributed them to Tri-County Community Council (Holmes County), Tri-County Community Council (Washington County) and the Holmes County Fire Department.

JACKSON CI inmates made 50 toys that were donated to Malone High School.

JEFFERSON CI inmates made 245 dolls and 50 assorted wooden toys. Also, Sgt. Joanna Norton headed up the Jefferson CI Toys for Tots program with assistance from other employees and local agencies. On December 21, local families brought their children to the training building for refreshments and were greeted with toys made by inmates and toys purchased by staff. Also, Sgt. Sharon Morgan spearheaded the “Angel Tree” wish list, which provided 95 wrapped toys to Madison CI for delivery. Staff also donated canned foods and the Employees Club purchased turkeys and hams for the local senior citizen home.

LIBERTY CI inmates made 105 toys that were given to the Liberty County Extension Office.

LOWELL CI sent 118 stuffed bunny rabbits and 31 stuffed bears to Central Office for distribution.

MADISON CI inmates made over 2,800 dolls and wooden toys that were donated to Wakulla CI (Tallahassee Tree Lighting ceremony), Madison County Health Department, Toys For Tots, DCF (Live Oak), Lighthouse Children’s Home and Central Office for distribution.

MARION CI Education Department sent 70 toys to Central Office for distribution.

Above: New River CI Bradford/Union Toys for Tykes - Left to right: Asst. Warden Jeffrey Wainwright, Education Supervisor Dave Newsom, Secretary Specialist Sandra Worthington, Tina Northrup, Mary Brown, Shelly Bowen and Vocational Upholstery Instructor J.C. Reddish.

NEW RIVER CI Employees Club provided material and batting for 400 bears to be produced by inmates in the vocational upholstery class. The bears were distributed to the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. and the Bradford/Union Toys for Tykes Program.

PUTNAM CI made over 70 toys that were sent to Palatka RCMA, South Putnam Christian Service Center, Johnson Walker Center, West Putnam Center and needy families.

SANTA ROSA CI inmates made over 2,100 toys that were donated to West Florida Regional Hospital, Santa Rosa Medical Hospital, Salvation Army, Santa Rosa Foster Care, Guardian Ad Litem, Trauma Intervention Program, Escambia Parent Center, Santa Rosa Low Income Daycare, Santa Rosa Big Brother & Big Sister Program, American Red Cross, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sandy Ridge Care Center and the Elks Lodge. CO N. Ford coordinated the donation efforts this year.

SFRC inmates hand carved and painted 20 puzzles and made six riding toys that were given to Neva King Cooper Educational Center in Homestead. This school is a center for profoundly handicapped students between the ages of three and 22.

TOMOKA CI – Under the supervision of Coach R. Battaglino, Tomoka Toys instituted by the Wellness Department, provided toys for underprivileged children. They made 185 toys including airplanes, jewelry boxes, trucks, helicopters and cars. These toys were made by inmates out of donated Popsicle sticks, paint, and glue and donated to West Volusia Christian Center.

UNION CI Employee’s Club donated $500 to the “Toys for Tykes” program, which supports Bradford, Union and Baker Counties.

WALTON CI inmates made 123 toys such as rocking horse, baby cradles, toy clocks, etc., that were donated to Toys for Tots, a local shelter, Head Start, the Salvation Army and Caring and Sharing.

WASHINGTON CI inmates made 67 toys including wooden jewelry boxes, boats and airplanes that were donated to Tri-County Community Council, Inc.

December 27, 2001 Dear Secretary Moore: Please accept our deepest thanks for supporting Cops for Kids Tallahassee, Inc., during the 2001 Christmas season. Inspector Jimmy Keen and Doug Stephens have worked tirelessly throughout the year with Cops For Kids and devoted many hours to fundraising, purchasing and distributing bikes at Christmastime. Without their help, and the support and commitment from the Department of Corrections, we would not have accomplished our mission. Because of this we were able to brighten the Christmas mornings of many needy and underprivileged local children! This was our third year working through the Christmas Connection (a branch of the local Catholic charities) to identify underprivileged children. Furthermore, as the word of our charity spread, several families, church groups, schools and other charitable organizations in Leon, Gadsden and Franklin counties contacted us directly with more needy children wishing for Christmas bicycles. As of December 25th, we had given away 260 brand new bicycles! The goodwill of the community and support from friends like you have made 2001 another successful year for Cops for Kids, Tallahassee. We appreciate your support and wish you and your families all the best in the New Year. Sincerely, A.J. Smith Cops for Kids Tallahassee, Inc.