From left, Grace Iozzo, Harry Axelsson, Volunteer of Year, Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer, Warden Don Lombardo, Warren Lund, Volunteer of Year and Jean Crean, inmate services coordinator, on March 9 at Erma Holiness Camp.

ERMA — The county Sheriff’s Office wanted to thank some folks who provide some services to inmates at the county jail.

Harry Axelsson and Warren Lund were recognized as "Volunteers of the Year," at the event.

Sheriff Gary Schaffer and members of the Sheriff’s Office Correctional Division on March 9 recognized 92 volunteers for all their assistance and personal time given to various programs at the Cape May County Correctional Center at a breakfast at the Erma Holiness Camp, 470 Seashore Road.

“In 2009, during any given week, there were approximately 190 inmates attending volunteer based programs. Presently 56 percent of our inmate population is participating in some type of program involving these volunteers,” Schaffer said.

To cite some examples, there were 146 Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings, 68 Narcotic Anonymous Meetings, over 100 Bible Studies, 542 Church Services, constantly running GED programs, and over 200 plus Individual Counseling Sessions. Thousands of hours of volunteer services are given each year.

“Without these volunteers, our job would be more difficult. I am grateful for all the support of our volunteers and their dedication to assisting us and to their mission,” Warden Donald Lombardo added.

Volunteers have donated hundreds of books to the recreational library; donated religious reading materials for disbursement, donated hundreds of Bibles; and one local church and school donated over 70 pairs of reading glasses for indigent prisoners. Another church collected winter coats and gave them to the correctional facility to give to prisoners who were admitted during the summer but were released during the winter months.

“Some of these volunteers have been coming to the Correctional Center every single month for over 20 years,” said Jean Crean, the coordinator of inmate Services and Programs.

“Most people don’t realize that running a Correctional Center is like running a small city but more complex. We must address housing needs, food, medical, dental, education, transportation, recreation, spiritual services, social services, counseling, and even provide barber and hair cutting services,” Schaffer noted.

“On top of this these residents don’t want to be here. Once again these volunteers are a valuable source to draw on to make this operation run smoothly and provide all needed services required morally and legally.”

The following groups/organizations/churches are regular volunteers who consistently support jail operations.

• Our Lady of Angels – Monthly Mass and Confessions
• Church of Resurrection – Legion of Mary/Prayer Services
• St. Augustine’s Church – Legion of Mary/Prayer Services
• St. John of God – Legion of Mary/Prayer Services
• St. Raymond’s Church – Legion of Mary/Prayer Services
• Narcotics Anonymous – weekly for self help group meetings
• Alcoholic Anonymous – twice weekly for self help group meetings
• Christian Services Associates – weekly Women’s Bible Study
• Christ Gospel – twice per month for Men’s Bible Study and twice per month for Women’s Church Services
• Lighthouse Church – twice a month for Men’s Bible Study
• Second Cape May Baptist Church – weekly for Men’s Church Service, once a month for Women’s Church Services, multiple weekly appointments for one on one spiritual counseling and Bible study
• Cornerstone Church – Once a month for a Men’s Church Service
• Tabernacle United Methodist – 2-3 times a month for a Men’s Church Service
• First Latin Pentecostal – weekly for Spanish Language Church Services