By Mark Maynard
The Daily Independent
SUMMIT — Inmates at the Federal Correctional Institute want to make a difference in the community.
FCI partnered with the Boyd County School District’s Family Resource/Youth Services Centers, with 115 inmates donating $1,801.50 to the after-school backpack program. FCI officials presented a check to Boyd administrators, including elementary and middle school principals, at the FCI campus on Thursday morning.
FCI Executive Assistant Jerry Boley said the program was the idea of FCI re-entry coordinator Scott Butcher. “It was a really good idea and a very positive program for the inmates to be involved with here,” he said.
Boley said the inmates were generous in their giving, perhaps changing the general perception of how the community views them. He said donations starting coming in more briskly after a furnished backpack was displayed on a table. Inside were eight prepackaged child-friendly snacks and water.
Warden Jodi Snyder-Norris made the display suggestion so inmates could better understand why they were giving, Boley said. It seemed to ignite a rash of donations. “She’s a smart lady,” Boley said.
“Please know it does make a difference for our kids,” Boyd County Superintendent Brock Walter said of the donations. “We have 100 percent free breakfast and lunch for the first time this year, and our participation doubled. So we have a need.”
The backpack program gives students food for the weekend. About 300 participate in the program funded exclusively through donations from church and other community groups, said Mary Ellen Chaney, one of three family resource coordinators in the district. The others are Vicky Caniff and Jenny Capterton.
“We’re so thankful for the donations from these men,” Chaney said. “It will mean a lot to our program and the children who received them. I worked with Mr. Butcher to partner with Boyd County schools.”
The program not only aids children, but it allows inmates to be part of helping in the community, Boley said. Those who donated were at the check ceremony, and many of them suggested other ways to give back.
Two of the traits prison officials stress in rehabilitation are character and selflessness. Boley said the donations demonstrate selflessness. Some of the inmates indicated they might continue to give to the resource program on a regular basis.