Feature Index
PPVA Feature Member of the Month
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Shirley Fitzgerald
PPVA Member since 2002
Feature Index
PPVA Feature Member of the Month
Photo unavailable
Shirley Fitzgerald
PPVA Member since 2002
In November 2002, I joined the Park Police Volunteer Association (PPVA) program, because I wanted to get involved with a (not-for-profit) organization, but one with a great cause in my community. One afternoon I took my grandsons out to Beltsville Community Center, the PPVA had their booth set-up which provided free fingerprinting for children. I decided that this would be a very worthwhile service to volunteer my service in the field of fingerprinting children; a method for identifying a child or person, if ever the need arise. I feel this would be a way to support PPVA by providing my service to help, and assist in solving or to prevent crime.PPVA also provides fun activities for the families throughout the county which helps to keep our children off the streets. Today's society has closed a lot of doors to our children, such as the bowling alley and skating rinks. However, PPVA has open doors for our children to have fun discovering, exploring, learning, educating and involving them in different activities this means a lot to a child. It brings joy to see the smiles not only on the children, but the parent's faces as well. This gives me hope that there are those of us that like to make a profine difference in other lives.
Since volunteering with PPVA, I have received several benefits: Defensive Driving Course - (has decreased my insurance rate); Completion of Maryland Park Police Academy; and a Certificate for Techniques of Fingerprinting from CJIS. I volunteered in other areas in which I received Certificates and Awards from the US Census Bureau. These Certificates are in reference to being nominated, and served as Chairman, of the Planning Committee for Black History Month, Key Worker for Combined Federal Campaign, Toastmasters International Club, Diversity Council Member, Chairman, Election Committee, Certificate of Appreciation 2001-2004, Certificate of Participation 2003-2004.
Shirley Fitzgerald