DJJ Collects Donations for the Ronald McDonald House

Story by Mary Catherine Heard; information provided by Kawain Reese

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) spread some holiday cheer this year by partnering with the Ronald McDonald House Charities Central Georgia to give to those in need. The Office of Volunteer Services along with DJJ Training Academy Staff and BJCOT Training Class #223 collected two containers of needed food items and toiletries which will be given to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Additionally, DJJ youths from the Macon, Milledgeville and Sumter YDCs decorated 75 pairs of colorful, slip-resistant socks for children in the hospital. The DJJ youth enjoyed the chance to show their creativity and more importantly, the service learning opportunity to give back to their communities.

The Ronald McDonald House helps to keeps families together by providing a temporary home for families who must travel to a specific hospital in order to receive the care and treatment their child needs. The Ronald McDonald House mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. There are over 350 such houses in the world, with six in Georgia.

On December 8, the Office of Volunteer Services presented the donations to the staff of the Ronald McDonald House with the heartfelt message “from our hearts to yours.” DJJ staff members and youth continue to remain committed to serving their communities by generously giving their time, effort and contributions.