GGC Receives Donation of Handmade Toys

Women at Leath Institution Support Children at Genetic Center

Children visiting the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) are receiving comfort by way of a partnership between GGC and Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood.

Women participating in Leath’s Character Arts Program (CAP) learn to crochet and have created a variety of items that are donated to local nonprofit organizations. Toy animals made by women in the program are donated to GGC where they are given to children to comfort them during blood draws or just to ease fears about their visit. When a child chooses their unique handmade toy, they are also issued an ‘adoption certificate’ to make it official.

To date the program has provided over six dozen of their creations to the GGC clinic.

“Giving back to the community is just one of the goals the female offenders are achieving through the program,” said Associate Warden Jacquelynn Lewis.” They are building healthy relationships with each other by working through conflict issues while team building. They continue to be excited about what they are accomplishing and learning.”

Participation in the program is a privilege that each inmate must earn by demonstrating positive behaviors and the desire for self-improvement.

“We are very grateful for the donation of these handcrafted toys to our clinic,” said Fran Annese, GGC’s Clinic Coordinator. “Going to the doctor and having blood drawn is tough for most anyone, but it can be especially hard on a very young child or a child with developmental delays who doesn’t understand why it’s necessary.”

The collaboration was initiated by Sharlene Greene of the GGC Foundation Board of Trustees who has also taught classes at Leath. “I have seen first-hand the pride that goes into the toys made by the inmates, and I know the care and compassion that is given to every patient seen at the GGC,” said Greene. “I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to bring these groups together; truly a win-win situation for all concerned”.

Because of Greene’s passion for both organizations, she shared the idea with women in her Cateechee-Palladian Study Club. The women provided donations of money and supplies to the Leath Character Craft Program to get the GGC project started.

“Our club is committed to supporting the greater Greenwood community,” said club member, Marge Ball. “Through this project we are encouraging activities that bring pride and satisfaction to women in difficult circumstances, while benefitting children and families facing a stressful medical situation.”

The GGC also seeks community support to help this collaboration continue. If you’d like to contribute worsted yarn or polyfill for this project, please contact GGC at (864)941-8100 or [email protected].

Photo top: Greene delivered the latest batch of handmade toys to Georgia Miller of the Greenwood Genetic Center’s Greenwood clinic

Photo above: The latest creations of the CAP at Leath donated to the Greenwood Genetic Center