The Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation recently made grants to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office domestic violence prevention program and search and rescue team.
Suzy Stockdale, the Smallwoods' niece who administers the family foundation, presented a grant of $10,000 to help fund the position of Connie Richardson, domestic violence prevention coordinator.
She also presented $11,500 for the search and rescue volunteers.
Stockdale was presented with certificates of appreciation Thursday by Sheriff Ron Pierini.
"Once a year, we put in grant applications and they get approved. Without Suzy, our programs wouldn't be so successful," the sheriff said.
Stockdale said she was happy to help.
"I am really proud to be part of the service you provide to our communities," Stockdale said.
Doug Dill, a member of the board of directors of search and rescue, said the donation would be used for training, including canine, swiftwater and rope.
The grant to the domestic violence prevention program will help fund Richardson's position.
Richardson said her work involves immediate follow-ups to verbal domestic reports in an effort to prevent the situation from escalating to a battery.
"Intervention can be prevention," she said.
She's been with the sheriff's office for 10 years, the last seven as the domestic violence prevention coordinator.
The Smallwood foundation was established in 1968 on the death of William P. Smallwood, a Fort Worth, Texas, native, who co-founded First Southwest Co. investment banking firm.
