North Carolina Department of Correction - Correction News - January 1999
Probation officers give gift of love
DURHAM — It takes a lot of love to make a house a home. For the Ronald McDonald House of Durham, it also takes a lot of support from the community to keep the 22-bedroom house up and running for families who need a place to stay while their children undergo treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital or Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital.
Members of the North Carolina Probation and Parole Association, Division II recently did their part to help these families and their children by making a donation to the Ronald McDonald House over the holidays.
In December, fifteen association members traveled to the Ronald McDonald House to visit the families and deliver a check for $500.
"We realize that Christmas is a special time of the year, especially for children, and due to medical expenses, it may be hard for parents to fulfill the requests of their children," said Cheryl Morris, a probation officer in Durham County. "This is our way of giving back to the community."
Members of the NCPPA, Division II raised the money for the house by holding a series of fundraisers throughout the year including a golf tournament, a t-shirt sale and a raffle ticket sale.
Clare Adkin, operations manager for the house, said McDonald’s provides 10 percent of the operating expenses while individuals, foundations, corporations and groups like the NCPPA provide the rest.
"We really appreciate all they’ve done for the Ronald McDonald House," Adkin said.
The probation and parole officers who visited the house include Jody Blackwell, Megan Betts Barbour, Jaki Edwards, Kathy Blackmon, Jesse Reaves, Jr., Carlita Brewington, Jimmy Lewis, Jr., Sheila Moore, Kristi Ripper, Cathy Clayton, Ronnie L. Hardin, Jackie Watkins, Charles Stanley, Shanon Lee and Mark Ennis. u