New Vision Baptist Church Cares for Inmates’ Children

Christmas came early for great-grandfather Cliff Dodson and his great-granddaughter, Savannah Taylor.

Savannah was among 800 children of inmates who received Christmas presents from New Vision Baptist Church’s Prison Ministry Soldiers With A Task (SWAT).

The church’s Jail Ministry purchased individual bags of presents for each child.

Dodson was glad the church sponsored the program for about 30 inmates from Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and pleased the staff allowed the visits.

“It gives me great joy to see the work with convicts and the goals they have,” Dodson said of the Adult Detention Center staff. “I’m glad to see the Sheriff’s Office helping. That’s a plus.”

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh welcomed the families and told them he was glad they could share time with their families.

“There had to be a change at 940,” Fitzhugh said, referring to the detention center. “We brought programs in. If we don’t do something, we’re not going our job.”

Fitzhugh thanked Pastor John Spurgeon, the detention center chaplain, and the church volunteers for their work.

Deputy Chief Bernard Salandy, who supervises the detention center, said he is tired of seeing people being incarcerated.

“What can we do to be better?” Salandy asked, challenging people to be improve.