Operation Starting Line Support of Hurricane Relief
By: Sheri G. Logue, Administrative Director - Corrections Foundation, Inc.

Left to Right: Chaplain Doug Gingerich, Florida Department of Corrections; Sheri Logue, Administrative Director, Corrections Foundation, Inc.; Sheila Logue, Program Administrator/Foundation Liaison, Florida Department of Corrections; Dr. Evelyn Ploumis-Devick, Executive Director, Corrections Foundation, Inc.; Larry Tucker, Executive Director Operation Starting Line; Chaplain Alex Taylor, Florida Department of Corrections

Operation Starting Line is an outreach ministry that hosts one day events with platform artists such as athletes, musicians, comedians and motivational speakers in an effort to reach every prisoner in the United States with the message of Jesus Christ. Since it's inception on Easter Sunday 2000, through August 2004, Operation Starting Line has conducted over 2,450 in-prison events that have reached over 550,000 inmates at 684 correctional facilities throughout 21 states.

During September 2004 and in the midst of Florida's active hurricane season, Operation Starting Line hosted events in every correctional facility between Tallahassee and Pensacola. These many events were amazingly accomplished within a 10-day period. During this time, the Operation Starting Line ministry visited institutions, work camps, road prisons, as well as many Federal institutions and local jails. Thanks to the cooperation and hard work of Department of Corrections Chaplaincy and Institutional staff only one of these events had to be canceled due to the approaching hurricanes.

In appreciation for the accommodations that the Department of Corrections provided, Operation Starting Line held a benefit event in North Carolina to raise funds for DC personnel impacted this hurricane season. Four local churches and private donors donated more than $3,500 to the Corrections Foundation to help provide relief to Department of Corrections' employees who are still rebuilding their lives after Hurricane’s Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. We also appreciate that Mr. Larry Tucker, Project Administrator for Operation Starting Line, took the time to personally deliver these donations to the Corrections Foundation in Tallahassee.

We extend our thanks to Operation Starting Line and their church affiliates for the generous support offered during a difficult time for nearly 1,000 of DC employees throughout the state who experienced damage due to the storms.

Sheila Logue Retires Following 35 Years of Dedicated Service
By: Robert Woody, Bureau Chief, Office of Community Relations

It is with sincere appreciation that the Department extends congratulations to Sheila Logue on her retirement and recognizes her for 35 years of dedicated service.

Sheila’s untiring commitment to the Department’s public safety mission is evident in the coordinating and leadership roles she has played. From the United Way Campaign, Computers for Kids, and Mentoring Program, to her administrative and programs liaison role with the Corrections Foundation, Sheila’s service has been highly valued and appreciated.

Please join me in congratulating Sheila on a career that made a difference and touched many lives. A reception is scheduled for February 28, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. in Central Office, Classroom B. If you would like to send her a card, letter or memento we will present them to her. Please mail items to: Sheri Logue, Corrections Foundation, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399.