Last week, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Honor Guard proudly presented the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF) Lifetime Sponsorship Award to the NDCS Staff Training Academy. Accepting the plaque on behalf of the Academy was Training Manager Jared McGinn, marking a significant milestone in Nebraska’s ongoing partnership with CPOF.
This recognition is a testament to the extraordinary leadership of Jill Edelman, and the entire Honor Guard Team. Jill has been a dedicated member of CPOF since 2016. Jill’s journey with the Foundation began when she signed up after receiving a brochure at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Since then, she has become both the voice of CPOF in Nebraska and the driving force behind countless fundraising efforts, outreach initiatives, and new member enrollments. As she puts it:
“CPOF is the only foundation available to help any correctional professional in a time of need. I talk about how CPOF understands what our profession experiences and goes through daily. They are tremendous at lending an empathetic ear and a helping hand.”
Since 2020, Edelman has served the NDCS Honor Guard Team while also serving as CPOF’s volunteer State Representative. The team has raised funds through golf scrambles, pancake feeds, cornhole tournaments, merchandise sales, and more. Their efforts culminated in a memorable moment at PROJECT 2000 XXXIV in St. Louis, where they presented a $15,000 donation that granted lifetime facility sponsorships for every correctional facility in Nebraska.
What is a Lifetime Sponsorship?
A correctional facility or institution becomes a CPOF Lifetime Facility Sponsor by donating $5,000. Each facility receives a special plaque and a symbolic Gold Jacket, representing a lasting commitment to supporting correctional officers and their families in times of need. Importantly, lifetime sponsorships do not replace individual supporting memberships, but they underscore the institution’s dedication to CPOF’s mission of “Taking Care of Our Own.”
NDCS & CPOF: A Shared Commitment
The NDCS Honor Guard continues to embody this spirit of service. They post colors at new-hire graduations, represent the agency at funerals and community events, and keep CPOF at the forefront of conversations within their department. NDCS staff understand firsthand the impact of CPOF assistance, and this award further reinforces the bond between Nebraska’s correctional professionals and the Foundation.
With PROJECT 2000 XXXVIII set to take place in Omaha in 2027, Nebraska will once again have the chance to showcase its unwavering support for correctional staff and their families nationwide.