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Misty S. Fairbanks 615.335.6521
Zonta Donates $750 to Aid to Inmate Mothers
Published September 15, 2009
(Montgomery Advertiser) - The Zonta Club of Montgomery today donated $750 to Aid to Inmate Mothers for its Storybook program. Betty Ziri, President of the Club, and Bridgette Mitchell, Co-Chair of the Club’s Service Committee, presented the check to Executive Director Carol Potok, Program Coordinator Larnetta Moncrief, and Rehabilitation Specialist Karen Carr.
AIM is a vital resourceto the inmates and former inmates of the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women, to the children who love them, and to the community at large. The Zonta Club of Montgomery is proud to support AIM financially and through its volunteer efforts with Storybook. The $750 check represents one half of the Club’s commitment to financially support AIM this year. The Club will attempt to raise the balance through a dedicated fundraiser in the Spring.
AIM’s Storybook program is generally held during the morning of the fourth Saturday of each month. Zontians regularly volunteerfor the drive out to Tutwiler. Larnetta Moncrief arrives with a carload of children’s books, tape cassettes, and padded envelopes. The inmates select a book for their child, grandchild, niece or nephew, and read it aloud as volunteers hold tape recorders. Often they add a personal hello or good-bye, and, occasionally, they sing birthday wishes. Then, volunteers help the inmates package the tape recordings and the books for mailing home. While the books are often donated, the mailing expenses are hefty.
AIM has several other programs as well. Theycoordinate monthly visits for the children, they provide clothing and supplies for the children when the new school year starts, and they help former inmates with the challenges they face in transitioning back to the free world. In a recent letter to supporters, Carol Potok explained AIM’s transition services: “Once they are released, our aftercare program, Project Reconnect[,] helps the women find jobs and housing, and sees them through any personal crisis, be it emotional or financial. We retain long term contact with the mothers to help address any barriers to their success.” Last year, the Zonta Club of Montgomery made a $500 donation to AIM to help with their important transition services.
Zonta is an international organization of professionals dedicated to improving the status of women worldwide. The Montgomery Club was chartered in 1948, and has been serving women locally and internationally ever since. We are always looking for professionals who share our values and our commitment to service. If you are interested in joining the Club or learning more about us, please contact our Membership ChairMarietta Kouns at 334.451.2527 or at . You can also learn more about our Club at our website:
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