SCI Laurel Highlands held its annual Volunteer Banquet on May 1. Community volunteers from the Chaplaincy Department, AOD Department and Canine Partner for Life were honored. Special recognition was also given to inmate volunteers who serve in our hospital unit, hospice program and as dog trainers. Reverend Dave Klink hosted the ceremonies and said since 2006 volunteers have volunteered an unprecedented average of 2,280.4 hours per year. He added, "Thank you to all our volunteers, who give so unselfishly of their time to assist our inmates in seeking new direction and setting new goals in their lives." An inmate speaker noted that "it's all about choices. Seeing the dedication the community volunteers give by sharing their time is a choice they made to help others, it's all about making good choices in the future, not the choices we've made in the past".
Community volunteers received a thank you of locally-sourced pure maple syrup. Inmate volunteers were thanked with certificates and ice cream tickets, and even the service dogs were thanked with a goodie bag of their own.
All volunteers enjoyed a delicious meal of stuffed chicken breast, baked potato, broccoli and an ice cream bar for dessert. Thank you to the Dietary Staff for preparing and serving a wonderful meal!
And a special thanks to Superintendent Hainsworth and her staff for the cooperation and support for the volunteer programs at our facility!