Operation Holiday Smile: Bent County Correctional Facility

Assistant warden of Security Jan Bryant and Chief of Unit Management Cosme Gallegos spearheaded Bent County Correctional Facility's Christmas 2009 fundraiser, Operation Holiday Smile. The fundraiser produced $2,186.74 to purchase of Christmas gifts for Bent County area children.

—Carolyn Rightmyer, warden's secretary

Charity for Children: Bradshaw State Jail

On December 19, 2009 Bradshaw State Jail held a charity barbecue luncheon and bake sale benefiting the Henderson Child Protective Services Rainbow Room.

—Kari Kaiser, fire safety manager

Canned Food Competitors: Eloy Detention Center

Eloy Detention Center hosted a canned food drive competition throughout November 2009. EDC donated 5,049 items which totaled out to 10,000 lbs of food. This amount helped feed 800 families in the local community.

—Corina Price, warden’s secretary

Helping Haiti: Eloy Detention Center

Eloy Detention Center donated hygiene products, medical supplies, clothing, shoes, blankets and more to the World Care Centers of Tuscon, Ariz. to benefit earthquake victims in Haiti. There was a generous response not only from Eloy employees but also from CCA’s partner Immigration and Customs Enforcement and their contracted medical department, Public Health Service. On February 15, a truck full of supplies left the Center for shipment to Haiti.

—Maria Stebbins, payroll manager

Making Valentine’s Day Special: New Mexico Women’s Correctional Facility

Wings Ministry hosted its 8th Wings Grants Prison Party on February 6, 2010, in celebration of Valentine’s Day. There were 170 inmates and family members approved to visit and 40 volunteers came from 14 different churches throughout the Greater Albuquerque Area. Before the party started the children who arrived early were invited to pick out their very own hand-knit sweater from Guideposts Magazine readers, and handmade pillowcases made by Albuquerque resident Kate Kuligowki. Attendees played balloon and mixer games and sang with the Central United Methodist praise band, No Boundaries. The event also included arts and crafts, family photos, a spoon hanging contest, a meal and prayer.

—Anne Edenfield Sweet, executive director/founder, Wings Ministry

"Tough Enough to Wear Pink:" North Fork Correctional Facility

North Fork Correctional Facility helped sponsor "Tough Enough to Wear PINK," a Sayre School pink-out basketball game on February 12. All donations will be given to the American Cancer Society, which will stay in Beckham, Colo. to help local cancer patents.

—Robin Gibson, warden's secretary

Joining a Community Celebration: Webb County Detention Center

For the first time ever, Webb County Detention Center participated in the George Washington Grand Parade in Laredo, Texas in February. The Washington's Birthday Celebration, founded in 1898, is the largest celebration of its kind in the United States with approximately 400,000 attendees annually. The month-long celebration includes parades, a carnival, an air show, fireworks, live concerts and many other fun and exciting events for every member of the family. Facility staff members developed, built and displayed a parade float, which won the grand prize for best float theme.

—Oscar Gomez, Jr., business assistant

Nurse Honored for Excellence: Wheeler Correctional facility

Wheeler Correctional Facility mental health nurse Wilma Jenkins was inducted into the Mercer University's Hall of Honor for 2009 for "Excellence in Community Health Service." Jenkins also serves as Wheeler's Suicide Prevention Coordinator, CQI Coordinator and SART leader.

—Angel Oliver, warden's secretary, administrative supervisor

Sharing for Safety's Sake: Wheeler Correctional Facility

Wheeler Correctional Facility took the opportunity to save money on the disposal of out-of-date fire extinguishers by sharing with the surrounding communities and allowing them to use the extinguishers for their fire department training.

—Angel Oliver, warden's secretary, administrative supervisor