Criminal justice students at WVU Parkersburg give back to community FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Parkersburg, W.Va., 12/13/11 – Students enrolled in West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s criminal justice program aren’t just in it for the degree. Members of Criminal Justice Organization (CJO), a community service-based program, have been actively volunteering to help those in need this holiday season. Last month, CJO members were among the 200 volunteers who helped serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army where nearly 300 people enjoyed a special holiday feast. "It was an experience that I will never forget," said CJO student Tonya Harris. But the good deeds didn’t end with Thanksgiving. Just last Saturday on Dec. 10, CJO members took four kids from a Wood County domestic violence shelter shopping for Christmas. Similar to the "Shop with a Cop" program that the Parkersburg Police participate in each year, CJO students have decided to call this project "Shop with a CJ Student." This is the second year for the programs. Students used $200 raised through member donations and bake sales to spend on the gifts. "Most of the students in the criminal justice program are planning on entering public service and know the importance of giving back to their community," said Louis Roy, criminal justice program coordinator at WVU Parkersburg. "The thousands of community service hours the organization gives each year has a large impact on the community and the students alike. It turns the CJO students into community leaders and organizers." Over the next couple of weeks, students will volunteer to help the Salvation Army with its toy and gift drive to help give children in need a better Christmas. To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s criminal justice program, call 304-420-8618. For additional information, contact: Katie Wootton WVU Parkersburg Director of Marketing and Communications 304-424-8203 E-mail Recent Releases News Archive