LAWTON- Gusty winds carried the aroma of freshly grilled burgers and hotdogs sailing across Lawton Saturday as volunteers raised money for a worthy cause.
LAWTON- Gusty winds carried the aroma of freshly grilled burgers and hotdogs sailing across Lawton Saturday as volunteers raised money for a worthy cause.
Teen Court Detective Marcus Rucker Sr. and his son Marcus Rucker Jr. pulled hotdogs and perfectly seasoned burgers off the grill while the rest of the volunteer team busied themselves with prepping, packaging, greeting, cheering and holding signs to promote the organization’s fundraiser.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Comanche County Teen Court board members and a team of volunteers fired up the grill at Arvest Bank, located at 4430 NW Cache Road, to raise money for the program’s volunteer education courses and promote the organization.
Sandra Noel, Board Chair for Comanche County Teen Court, explained that attorneys, judges, as well as officers with the Judge Advocate General Corps, work with Teen Court volunteers to help them understand processes and courtroom etiquette. Several volunteers who dedicate themselves to the program have become attorneys themselves, added board member Pam Brisolara.
Volunteering as judge and criminal procedure instructor for the program, Cpt. Justin Hayes of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps has presided over many cases since he began with the program in March of last year.
“We try to keep the kids off the streets and out of the system. We educate them; they take their education to their peers and, hopefully, instead of giving in to negative peer pressure, they do the right thing,” said Hayes.
Teen Court’s motto is “... a second chance to make the right choice.” In an earlier interview, Executive Director Marcia Frazier said that Teen Court tries only first-time juvenile offenders who have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors.
Cpt. Hayes explained that as part of a youth offender’s punishment, they must serve on the jury. Many of those who serve jury duty want to get involved with the program.
“When people you have helped, turn around and help with the program, they’re the ones who have the best shot at redemption,” Hayes added.
Expressing gratitude for each donation received, Teen Court volunteers were able to raise more than $500 to help the program. Special thanks to Billingsley Ford and Arvest Bank’s Tom Linville and Margaret Allen.
For more details about Teen Court, call (580) 250-1466 or visit Teen Court OK on Facebook.