| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
ANNUAL JAIL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION CEREMONY
JULY 1, 2009
Greenport, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that the Jail Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony was
held at the Sheriff’s Office on June 18, 2009 at 7:00PM. The ceremony was held to acknowledge and honor
those individuals who volunteer their time for programs in the Columbia County Jail.
More than 35 volunteers, family and Sheriff’s Office staff attended the ceremony which included
presentations by Sheriff Harrison, Corrections Division Commander Captain John Davi, Corrections Corporal
Colleen Vallee and Reverends Suzette Turpin and Richard Turpin, Directors of Inmate Ministries.
Additionally, an inmate from the jail addressed the group about his experiences with the volunteers and
programs which have been initiated. Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Reverend Ronald Grant gave an Invocation
and Chaplain Deacon Ed Dorsch said the Blessing. Hors’d oeuvres and a light buffet including a large salad
made with fresh vegetables from the Inmate Horticulture Program were served.
Sheriff Harrison presented “Years of Service” plaques to Father Theodore Gerken for 19 years of
volunteer service, Keith Gardner for 13 years and Kevin Johnson for nine years. Also, Chaplain Ed Dorsch
presented Father Gerken with a letter from Bishop Howard Hubbard for his years of service.
Sheriff Harrison presented Certificates of Appreciation with Special Thanks for volunteer service to
Pastor Jaron Halstead from Rock Solid Church for service and donation of Bibles, Reverend John Ogden
from Calvary Assembly of God for service and donation of reading glasses and bibles, Donna Peterson and
Connie Mondell, Master Gardeners representing Cornell Cooperative Extension for development and service
with the Inmate Horticulture Program and Chaplains Dorsch and Ronald Grant for their support and work to
enhance and expand both religious and non-religious programs since appointed by Sheriff Harrison in 2006.
Reverends Suzette Turpin and Richard Turpin with the Second Baptist Church in Catskill, who have served
as Directors of Inmate Ministries at the jail, were formally appointed as Sheriff’s Office Chaplains. The
Second Baptist Church in Catskill was acknowledged and thanked for donating reading glasses to the jail.
Presented with Certificates of Appreciation for their volunteer service were: Jacqueline Jefferson,
Minister Shanell Turpin, Minister Lisa Cannon, William Repko, Ricky Cartwright, Greg Potter, Minister Michael
Good, Reverend Lisa Good, Charles Barber, Michael Mabb, Minister Glendora Battle, Reverend Iris Wadell,
Reverend Jeanette Johnson, Minister Frank Dixon, Vicki Wills, Ann Vedder, Regina Bullinger, Marianne
Blacker Winnie and Sherri Law.
Corporal Colleen Vallee was recognized for her work as Jail Volunteer Programs Administrator and
Liaison. Sheriff Harrison thanked all the volunteers who oversee and assist with programs in the jail.
Volunteers must complete a screening and orientation process before they can participate in the programs.
They then volunteer many hours with inmates for religious services and other support programs. “The time
and effort given by these volunteers makes a difference with an inmate’s stay at our jail and provides support
which may assist him or her with the ability to move on in life, either as a constructive member of the
community or in state prison.”
Photo provided are a group of some of the volunteers who participated in the June 18th ceremony at the
Sheriff’s Office.
JULY 1, 2009
Greenport, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that the Jail Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony was
held at the Sheriff’s Office on June 18, 2009 at 7:00PM. The ceremony was held to acknowledge and honor
those individuals who volunteer their time for programs in the Columbia County Jail.
More than 35 volunteers, family and Sheriff’s Office staff attended the ceremony which included
presentations by Sheriff Harrison, Corrections Division Commander Captain John Davi, Corrections Corporal
Colleen Vallee and Reverends Suzette Turpin and Richard Turpin, Directors of Inmate Ministries.
Additionally, an inmate from the jail addressed the group about his experiences with the volunteers and
programs which have been initiated. Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Reverend Ronald Grant gave an Invocation
and Chaplain Deacon Ed Dorsch said the Blessing. Hors’d oeuvres and a light buffet including a large salad
made with fresh vegetables from the Inmate Horticulture Program were served.
Sheriff Harrison presented “Years of Service” plaques to Father Theodore Gerken for 19 years of
volunteer service, Keith Gardner for 13 years and Kevin Johnson for nine years. Also, Chaplain Ed Dorsch
presented Father Gerken with a letter from Bishop Howard Hubbard for his years of service.
Sheriff Harrison presented Certificates of Appreciation with Special Thanks for volunteer service to
Pastor Jaron Halstead from Rock Solid Church for service and donation of Bibles, Reverend John Ogden
from Calvary Assembly of God for service and donation of reading glasses and bibles, Donna Peterson and
Connie Mondell, Master Gardeners representing Cornell Cooperative Extension for development and service
with the Inmate Horticulture Program and Chaplains Dorsch and Ronald Grant for their support and work to
enhance and expand both religious and non-religious programs since appointed by Sheriff Harrison in 2006.
Reverends Suzette Turpin and Richard Turpin with the Second Baptist Church in Catskill, who have served
as Directors of Inmate Ministries at the jail, were formally appointed as Sheriff’s Office Chaplains. The
Second Baptist Church in Catskill was acknowledged and thanked for donating reading glasses to the jail.
Presented with Certificates of Appreciation for their volunteer service were: Jacqueline Jefferson,
Minister Shanell Turpin, Minister Lisa Cannon, William Repko, Ricky Cartwright, Greg Potter, Minister Michael
Good, Reverend Lisa Good, Charles Barber, Michael Mabb, Minister Glendora Battle, Reverend Iris Wadell,
Reverend Jeanette Johnson, Minister Frank Dixon, Vicki Wills, Ann Vedder, Regina Bullinger, Marianne
Blacker Winnie and Sherri Law.
Corporal Colleen Vallee was recognized for her work as Jail Volunteer Programs Administrator and
Liaison. Sheriff Harrison thanked all the volunteers who oversee and assist with programs in the jail.
Volunteers must complete a screening and orientation process before they can participate in the programs.
They then volunteer many hours with inmates for religious services and other support programs. “The time
and effort given by these volunteers makes a difference with an inmate’s stay at our jail and provides support
which may assist him or her with the ability to move on in life, either as a constructive member of the
community or in state prison.”
Photo provided are a group of some of the volunteers who participated in the June 18th ceremony at the
Sheriff’s Office.
