FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-62)

CONTACT Erika Hill, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | erika.hill@nebraska.gov

Volunteers from WEC help people in need

October 3, 2019 (McCook, Neb.) Even though they never get the chance to meet the recipients of their efforts, volunteers from the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook are gratified to know they make a difference to adults and children who live in the community. The facility has teamed up with The Sharing Place, located in the McCook Christian Church.

The Sharing Place has been offering up free donations to the community for more than six years. The non-profit group provides household items, toys, books, linens and clothing of all sizes.  Once a month, incarcerated volunteers work with volunteers from the community to transport large tubs of donated items. They also organize and arrange the items on 20 or so tables.

“We always have guys here at WEC who want to go help out because they know it’s important and impacts our entire community,” said WEC Assistant Warden Deanna Johnson.

The church group said volunteers from WEC always do a great job. On average, five to 10 men from the facility help out at The Sharing Place each month.

“These men are doing their part by helping kids get the supplies they need for school, they have helped families who have lost everything in fires, they have assisted women who have left abusive homes, and they have helped foster families and more,” said Johnson. “Even though the men don’t get to be at The Sharing Place on the one day a month that it is open up to the public, they still tell me they feel like they are giving back.”

Johnson added that some of the volunteers have expressed that their own families could have benefitted from a similar program. “They really connect with this opportunity and we are grateful that we can offer it to them.”

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