The Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency last week in Lexington.
KCCD President Shawn McKenzie said that the organization, which is not a corrections organization, has nine chapters throughout the state and each chapter nominates an organization that has a profound effect on its community.
Jackie Bard, unit administrator for the Green River Correctional Complex had shadowed Randolph because she was interested in launching a similar program in Muhlenberg County. She nominated the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation for its community outreach, work to clothe community children and its HUTS (Hands Up to Succeed) Project.
“The HUTS program touched my heart…and clothing the children really made [the foundation] stand out,” McKenzie said.
Programs similar to Randolph’s now exist in Bowling Green and Pikeville, Randolph said.
Randolph, whose mission for over 26 years has been to clothe disadvantaged children and enhance the living conditions of families struggling to make ends meet, said that she hopes that this award will raise awareness not just for the community and the Commonwealth but also for the nation.
“People see these recognitions on social media and it causes them to think about how they could incorporate it into their community,” Randolph said. “It causes individuals to step forward and help others in need.”
The 60th Anniversary Banquet for the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency recognized adult institutions, probation and parole officers, and juvenile justice programs, along with other organizations.
“I look at this nomination as an honor that our achievements are recognized,” Randolph said. “I love what we do, so this is the icing on the cake.”
Randolph, who said she grew up disadvantaged after her father’s death, has not forgotten the experience. When she is overwhelmed or discouraged, she is reminded of Matthew 25:35-40 in the Bible, which represents helping the poor.
“I refer to that verse — and have for many years,” Randolph said.
The foundation is currently working on its two fall HUTS Projects, which will be completed Sept. 27 and 28. The project is designed “to give a hand up, not a hand out,” and Randolph said the recipient must meet specific employment conditions to be considered. For more information about a completed HUTS Project, click here.
