Prosecutor's Recycling Funds Children's Surgeries

For the last five years, juvenile prosecutor Jamie Corbin has been collecting all manner of plastic bottles, aluminum cans and assorted glass bottles for a cause dear to her heart.

With help from colleagues and associates, she recycles everything she collects and donates the money to an organization that provides cleft palate surgeries for impoverished children in foreign countries.

"These kids walk barefoot for miles to get this done," Corbin said. "I want each one of those children to feel proud of themselves."

So far, Corbin has paid for 12 surgeries, which cost $200 each, with her recycling cash. It's an endeavor that has spread throughout the office with co-workers dropping off bags of recyclable goods that Corbin neatly separates into piles.

Being able to smile with confidence has been a soft spot for Corbin, who needed braces as a teen. She took it upon herself to consult with a dentist and work out a payment plan to improve her smile.

Corbin takes pride in helping children achieve a better life, who might not otherwise without charity organizations. In some cases children with severe cleft palates stop going to school because they are bullied or their mothers are thought to be cursed.

"You do it because they need it," Corbin said. "Not because you're seeking glory for yourself."  

Corbin has been a Deputy District Attorney since 1994 and has worked in numerous divisions.