<p>A program that allows Cobb County jurors to donate their $25 per diem to the animal shelter, library system, parks department and other county organizations has played an integral role in funding projects and capital expenditures, officials say.</p><p>The Cobb County Juror Fee Donation Program is believed to be the first program of its kind in Georgia.</p><p>Residents serving jury duty for Cobb County Superior Court can donate the $25 to the Cobb County Animal Shelter, Cobb Trees, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Public Library System, Senior Services or a premarital counseling program offered by the courts.</p><p>Over the past seven years, the program has raised a total of $192,725.</p><p>The animal shelter has always been the top moneymaker, said Skip Chesshire, Superior Court administrator and program coordinator.</p><p>Jurors have donated $93,000, or 48 percent, to the animal shelter. The Public Library System has raised $33,250 over the last seven years, followed by Senior Services with $33,225.</p><p>Chesshire said the tax-deductible donations have been used for such things as buying new computers at the senior center, planting trees around the county and funding construction and annexations at the animal shelter.</p><p>In the 2003 fiscal year, which ran from Oct. 1, 2002, to Sept. 30, 2003, jurors donated a total of $22,200, an 18 percent decrease from the previous fiscal year.</p><p>Its down, but we are still happy with the support, Chesshire said.</p><p>Since the program began in 1996, 8.3 percent of jurors who serve have donated the $25.</p><p>It may seem low, but that is way beyond our expectations, Chesshire said. We thought it would be 5 percent at the most.</p><p>Cobb County Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson said the money raised by the program reflects generosity among residents.</p><p>Its a very innovative program, he said. It speaks volumes of those jurors who are not only contributing their time, but also the small amount of money they are getting for serving.</p><p>Cobb Superior Court Chief Judge Mary Staley said she donated to Cobbs public libraries when she served as a juror.</p><p>Im very proud of the program because it gives the citizens an opportunity to do something good, she said. Twenty-five dollars can be a lot of money for some people, and it is extraordinarily generous for someone to give that up.</p><p>Information from: Marietta Daily Journal</p>
