The Quantez Russell Scholarship Fund and Suffolk Sheriff’s Department joined together to bring new stuffed animals donated by the Sheriff’s Office and the community to the Suffolk Social Services’ Foster Care Unit on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 135 Hall Ave. The scholarship, named after Quantez DeMont Russell, who disappeared on Nov. 11, 2015, aims to help Suffolk youth while keeping his name alive.
Joan Turner of the Quantez Russell Scholarship Fund and Russell’s mother say the scholarship fund is based on families affected by violence and aims to partner with various organizations to assist Suffolk youth. She talked about what prompted her to give back to the unit.
“I thought this would be a great idea since there [might] be some kids who are moving from one home to another and may not have a lot of personal belongings to have a special NEW stuffed animal,” Turner said. “Quantez used to sleep with his favorite stuffed animal and his little cars, so this is what prompted me [to think] of this idea.”