Officers In Contest That Has A Cause

St. Mary's Squads Aid Needy Family

The holiday challenge that Sgt. Teresa Studds issued to correctional officers in St. Mary's County came straight out of an elementary school teacher's playbook.

To help collect canned food for a needy family, Studds promised to throw a pizza-and-wings party for the squad that brought in the most items.

"It's easy," said Studds, a shift supervisor at the county jail. "Post it, and let's see how we do."

This year, Studds said, officers collected 320 food items. The winning squad collected 125, topping Studds's squad by 50.

"They blew everybody else away," she said.

The food collection is part of an effort by the sheriff's office to help those in need during the holidays. Each year since 1996, Studds said, jail officials have collected money to buy toys and clothes for a local family identified by the Department of Social Services.

The effort netted more than $800 in gifts this year, along with the canned goods, for a Lexington Park family with three children, ages 9, 4 and 1, Studds said.

"It's a good amount," she said. "I work with an awesome group of people. As tough as times are right now, . . . they are totally aware that there are people out there more needy."

Studds added the food drive to the toys and clothes collection last year, inspired by a similar competitive donation program at the Charles County jail, where Studds's husband works as a lieutenant. The competition, which began before Thanksgiving, produced some interesting results.

Studds said officers hid their donations in their cars or bags stashed around the jail offices, not wanting to tip their hand to other units. Suddenly, she said, an assortment of food appeared.

"At the deadline, of course, it looked like nothing. And then all of a sudden, we had something," she said.