The Clarendon County Detention Center held its 20th Annual "Helping Hands" Luncheon on Dec. 20. This luncheon, which honors the staff of CCDC, also serves as a way to give back to their community, specifically those in need; This was their biggest year yet.
"Each year, the room gets fuller and fuller," said Col. Shelton L. Hughes, addressing the crowd. "We appreciate you all coming out today to join us during this season of giving back and loving our neighbors. It is a blessing for us to be able to do this, and we wouldn't be able to do it without everyone's participation and help. From labor to reaching in your pockets and writing checks, we are thankful that through you, we were able to help these families that are going through a bit of a hard time."
Every year, the CCDC selects a few needy families and buys gifts for the children of those families. This year, there were three.
"I just want to thank you all for what you do to help me out during these hard times," said one Mother.
Lunch was served, and entertainment was provided by Karen "Lady K" Hilton-Sanders, who sang "Joy to the World" and "This Christmas."
The evening concluded with closing remarks by Hughes and a prayer by the Detention Center's Chaplain Fulton. Fulton gave a heartfelt thanks to all of the ministerial volunteers that come to the CCDC and give up their time to minister to the detainees.
"The work that these women do is more than I have seen in any church," said Fulton. "I know that may get me some backlash, but it is true. I have never worked with a group of people that are this loving. You can talk about love all day, but we really need to walk love, and these women do it."
The CCDC raises money throughout the holiday season to fund these charitable donations through raffle ticket sales.
