William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility Donates Holiday Gifts to Cooper Green Community Center

BESSEMER, Ala. – Employees of the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer are helping to make the holiday season bright for one community in Jefferson County.

Officers and staff at the Donaldson facility spent the month of November collecting toys and other gifts that will be donated to the Birmingham Housing Authority’s Cooper Green Community Center. The donations will go toward the center’s 2017 Spirit of the Season Section 3 Program that provides monetary donations, toys, food and clothing to families that may be struggling financially.

“By giving back to the community in a small way, our hope is to bring a little joy to children that may not receive anything during the holiday season,” said Warden Leon Bolling.

Each year the community center sets aside a day during the holiday season to provide families with self-sufficiency resources, food, gifts and music.

“The event brings smiles to the faces of the youth and their parents,” said Jason Pennywell, social worker with the Cooper Green Community Center. “We’re very thankful for the generous donations and support from the community that makes the day a special occasion for the families.”