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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Lifestyle
Monday, April 29, 2002
WTSS celebrates volunteer week
West Texas State School and the Texas Youth Commission joined a nationwide
celebration in honor of volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April
21-27. The Week's theme, "Celebrate the American Spirit _ Volunteer!" reflects
the resolve of the American tradition of neighbor helping neighbor.
West Texas State School used National Volunteer Week as a means to celebrate
the citizens of our surrounding communities who share their time and talent
to help our youth.
"Volunteer involvement is a critical element to a well-rounded rehabilitation
program. Volunteers demonstrate to our youth that there is a community that
cares about their success," said Chester Clay, Jr., Assistant Deputy Executive
Director of Juvenile Corrections for the Texas Youth Commission.
"Volunteering isn't simply nice to do; it's necessary for the health of
our democracy. American runs on the spirit of volunteering. Without the efforts
of millions of men, women and children who give their time to help others
in their communities, our country would be a different place," said Robert
K. Goodwin, president and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation.
Several WTSS volunteers have been nominated for statewide awards at the
upcoming annual TYC volunteer conference. These nominees are Julian Dawson
of Kermit _ Volunteer Achievement Award (this recognition requires 10 or
more years of volunteer service to the Texas Youth Commission), the Ridgeway
Family of Gardendale _ Family volunteer award; Dwight Phillips of Odessa
_ Outstanding Individual volunteer; Jeff Thomason of Odessa _ Outstanding
Chaplaincy volunteer and the Fellowship Freedom Riders (Christian Motorcyclists'
Association) of Midland _ Outstanding volunteer group.
The mission of the Texas Youth Commission volunteer services department
is to maximize community resources and utilize volunteers to provide opportunities
that enable youth to become responsible and productive citizens. West Texas
State School is always in need of volunteers for membership on the West Texas
Community Resource Council, to provide one-on-one tutoring, enhance religious
activities, to serve as mentors and to sponsor special events such as dorm
Christmas parties.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at WTSS, contact Donna Garcia,
Community Relations Coordinator at 915-389-5555, ext. 221 or at donna.garcia@tyc.state.tx.us
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Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail newsdesk@nwol.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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