| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: DORINDA CARTER |
| September 27, 2006 |
615-741-1000, EXT. 8144 (OFFICE) |
|
877-909-5128 (PAGER) |
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION'S GOOD SAMARITAN NETWORK
REACHES OUT TO HELP TENNESSEANS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department
of Correction (TDOC) is offering assistance to Tennesseans in
need. Through the department's Good Samaritan Network, supplies of
items from toothpaste to diapers are available to those in serious need.
The items were collected after TDOC employees organized
a relief committee to help correctional employees in Louisiana who were
affected by Hurricane Katrina. Overwhelming response to the call
for help led to a tractor-trailer full of supplies being carried to the
region. As a result, TDOC now has a surplus of items currently
being stored at the old Tennessee State Prison in Nashville. Now,
on the one-year anniversary of Katrina, TDOC wants to continue giving by
helping people closer to home.
"I know there are children that need the items that
we have there," said Volunteer Services Director Richard
Dixon. "We want to make sure the items we have like baby food
and formula with expiration dates get to people in need so that none of
the generosity demonstrated in the wake of Katrina is wasted. We
still need people to give as well."
Some excess supplies without expiration dates will also
be held in reserve to be used in the event of a natural disaster or
other future need in Tennessee. The Good Samaritan Network, which
also helps inmates upon their release and TDOC employees who have
experienced hardships, accepts donations and volunteers on an ongoing
basis.
"Governor Bredesen has asked departments across
state government to assess their preparedness for dealing with crisis
situations like natural disasters," said Dixon. "We
believe that preparedness mindset can even extend to projects like the
Good Samaritan Network and play an important role in helping Tennesseans
weather whatever may come in the future."
Contact Richard Dixon at (615) 741-1000 ext. 8161 to be
screened for assistance. To learn more about the Good Samaritan
Network, visit our website at www.state.tn.us/correction/inmateprograms/goodsamaritan.html.
Send comments and questions to TDOC's Webmaster.
