The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office hosted a luncheon on Thursday at Golden Corral for its many dedicated volunteers.
Sheriff Bill Farmer, who is looking to run again for office next year, offered a few opening remarks and ended by saying that the luncheon was to show “appreciation for the volunteers.”
Volunteers went up to be awarded and to receive gift certificates from Sheriff Farmer, who was helped by Lt. Robert Siemer, district commander for The Villages.
“They are the most wonderful people to work with,” said two and a half year volunteer Enid Cristodero of the Village of St. James.
Volunteers are responsible for answering phone calls and alleviating pressure off of sheriffs by reaching out to concerned citizen’s questions, Cristodero said.
Serving as a volunteer for 18 years, Rick Usko of the Village of Rio Ponderosa began volunteering because his neighbor, who was a deputy, inspired him. Usko currently volunteers as a fill in.
“It’s wonderful what Sheriff Farmer has done for this community,” he said.
Other veteran volunteers, Margo and Harry McClary of the Village of Hacienda East, also love the interaction and service for others.
Volunteering with her husband since 1997, Margo says she first joined after finding out the women on her street also volunteer.
Theresa Cooper, administrative head of the sheriff’s annex, said that the gift certificates given to volunteers were small tokens of appreciation.
She explained how the work schedule of the volunteers, is divided into two shifts a day. Cooper said most of the volunteers have gone through the Citizens Academy, which is an eight-week course on the responsibilities in different sheriff departments.
Those who are interested can contact the sheriff’s annex to sign up for the September 2016 Citizens Academy session. Anyone else interested in volunteering may contact the annex to be listed for an interview session.
