October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The inmates in the cell dog program are assembling materials and literature the foundation hands out to the public at events such as the upcoming Southwest Florida Stiletto Sprint on Saturday, Oct. 20, on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
“I approached the ladies in the cell dog program as well as the Susan G. Komen Foundation and everyone was enthusiastic about the opportunity to help,” said CCSO Corrections Cmdr. Patricia Gifford.“ I am proud to be part of the efforts put forward by the staff, the participants and the foundation.”
So far the inmates have assembled more than 3,800 materials since August, and plans are under way to do even more. This partnership is a win-win for both the foundation and the inmates as they develop a sense of accomplishment for their efforts. The cell dog program is designed to help teach inmates how to become productive members of society when they are eventually released from jail custody.
“The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southwest Florida affiliate is very grateful to the Naples Jail Center and their program fostering volunteerism,” said Mission Manager Jeanette Chelius. “Many projects have been completed that help us raise awareness in the community.”
To learn more on how to join the fight against breast cancer, visit www.komenswfl.org.
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| Inmates in the Second Chance Cell Dog Program make key chains using plastic balls of different sizes to represent different types of lumps that could be discovered during a self breast exam. The inmates are volunteering their time assembling promotional items from the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help raise breast cancer awareness in Collier County. Photo by Cmdr. Patricia Gifford/CCSO |
