Pine Lodge offenders donate checks to local charities

By CARA LORELLO

Staff Reporter

On March 12, female offenders at Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women presented several checks totaling $5,000 to nine charities from Medical Lake, Spokane and Washington state benefiting women in crisis, families, and children.

Several money-raising events in 2008 contributed to check donations. Annual participation in fundraising activities is a long-standing tradition at Pine Lodge, but it wasn't until last year that administrators agreed to make it an annual ceremony to recognize offenders' efforts.

Giving back to one's community, correctional program mana...