National Harbor Jack and Jill Teen Mentoring Program Partners with Sheriff

(Donates “Teddy Bears” for Children affected by Domestic Violence)  

Upper Marlboro, MD… Chief Assistant Sheriff Darrin Palmer accepted over 300 Teddy Bears from The National Harbor Chapter of

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. during a ceremony held at the College Park Aviation Museum on Sunday, November 16th. The Teddy Bears were donated to the Office of the Sheriff by the organization’s teen mentoring program and will be used by Deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) to comfort small children they encounter during domestic violence 911 calls.

Colonel Palmer, who attended the event, thanked the chapter members and spoke briefly about the importance and lesson of being a good citizen and the joy and example of helping those in need. Colonel Palmer shared the story of  Dr. Seuss’ ‘”Horton Hears a Who” to a group of little ones aged 2-6 years old  before making each of them  an honorary Sheriff’s Deputy. 

“I can’t think of a better example than this. These teens who are themselves in a teen mentoring group are already mentoring the younger children and teaching them the lesson of giving back. They are how we will put an end to domestic violence in our County, because when we teach young people that a good relationship is a safe relationship then we can prevent domestic violence, not just respond,” said Chief Assistant Palmer. 

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. The National Harbor Chapter is a group of mothers  working to stimulate growth and development by providing a constructive educational, cultural, civic, health, recreational and social programming.
For more information on the National Harbor Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. visit http://jackandjillnationalharbor.org/.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

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