MCSO Foundation supports county volunteerism

Rows of corn are shown growing in a field at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Work Farm at the corner of Southeast Maricamp Road and Southeast Baseline Road in Ocala on April 20, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Marion County is rich in its spirit of volunteerism. Many citizens volunteer in many organizations and events in many various ways to better the community in which we live.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Foundation, created in 2008, is one of the organizations in the county exemplifying that credo by supporting the many volunteer arms at work under the auspices of the Sheriff’s Dept.  Their actual mission statement is “To generate support for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office programs that promote law enforcement, public safety and welfare.” It is a separate entity from the Sheriff’s Office, being a 501 (3) non-profit organization.

Robert Morgan, president of the Foundation board of directors, emphasizes the need for volunteers in the various programs and activities sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department “to deter crime and make Marion County a better place to work, live and visit.” He added, “I have a very deep passion for the Sheriff’s Dept. and the Foundation.” Speaking of the Foundation board, he said there is a current need for a volunteer secretary.

The Foundation reports there are 34 volunteer units made up of well over 500 citizen volunteers.  In 2020 alone, almost 65,000 hours were logged by volunteers, which would amount to an estimated 1.6 million dollars, according to the National Points of Light hourly rate. Figures for 2021 are not available because of COVID-19. Dollars saved through the work of volunteers saved the taxpayers this money that didn’t have to be used by the Sheriff’s Dept. for those tasks.

The Foundation relies strictly on donations for the support of the programs of the Sheriff’s Dept.  The donor can specify some donated funds used for one special purpose, for example, for the Sheriff’s Office canine unit.  Therefore, those funds are not available for general funding.  Morgan said one dog the Foundation provides to the Sheriff’s Office costs $10,000.  Other uses of Foundation funds include providing uniforms and rescue tools and equipment.

Sandra Grabczynski, a director on the Foundation Board, spoke of two of the divisions of the Citizens Academy and Partnership Program (CAPS) that were presented at a meeting Monday in Dunnellon at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  The Foundation is a co-sponsor of the CAPS program, providing light refreshments at their meetings and classes.

The Juvenile Division told of their work as victim advocates for missing or wandering children, and the Senior at Risk program was discussed.

Two tools available through the Sheriff’s Office to track missing children or adults who may have memory issues or dementia were explained.  The first is a Scent Kit.  If a person, adult or child, is prone to wander, a kit may be obtained from the Sherriff’s Office, which includes a special jar.  A piece of an article of clothing of the individual is put into the jar, and it is to be stored in the refrigerator.  If that person goes missing, the Sheriff’s Office is called, and they take the jar to the canine unit.  When the dog sniffs that piece of an article of clothing, they are often able to track the person down, and they can be returned to safety.  

A second tool is a bracelet that is to be worn by an elderly person of special needs. This bracelet will tell their name and phone numbers to contact if the person is missing or is found wandering.

The Citizens Academy and Partnership (CAP) program is a volunteer unit of the Sheriff’s Dept. which has been successful in educating citizens of Marion County in the operations of the Sheriff’s Office and the issues relating to law enforcement and detention.  It is an opportunity for citizens to get a working knowledge of the agency.

The Academy is a free 7- or 13-week educational program. A certificate of completion from the Sheriff’s Dept. is presented to graduates. Anyone interested in this program can register at https://www.marionso.com/citizens-academy.  Applicants will be subject to a background check, must have no felony convictions, must be at least 18 years of age and must be able to attend all classes.

Annually, all volunteers of the Sheriff’s Dept. are treated to a dinner in honor of their work and accomplishments throughout the year.  This year’s banquet will be held March 30 at the Expo Center located within the World Equestrian Center.