CSO donates to local high schools

CSO donates to local high schools

 Columbia County Sheriff Bill Gootee made a special presentation Thursday to the Student

Columbia High School presentation

Government Organization at Columbia and Fort White high schools.

 Sheriff Gootee, along with School Resources Deputies from each school, presented each organization with a check for $960. The dollars were raised by charging employees a fee to take advantage of a special 6-month exception to Sheriff’s Office policy that allowed male deputies to grow a beard –neatly trimmed and short - and female deputies to wear a less formal uniform. The fund-raiser also allowed non-sworn employees to wear jeans every day – not just on Fridays.

"I was approached and asked if the Sheriff’s Office would help support CHS Student Government’s program to help needy families and I thought it only fair to share the proceeds with

Ft. White High School

Fort White High School," said Sheriff Gootee. "Some of our officers really do not like to shave and some of our civilian staff really like to wear jeans," he said with a smile. "So it was an obvious win-win situation."

Columbia High School plans to use the money to buy food and gifts at Christmas for needy families and Fort White High School was undecided on how to use the money.