Greetings!
Welcome to the July edition of the CASA Advocate e-newsletter. We have lots of news this month and a new website to announce. Visit us online at www.casaofcollincounty.org to learn more about us, our volunteers and events we have planned for the future.
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CASA announces Capital Campaign
 CASA is on the move! Melissa Mayor David Dorman is heading the capital campaign to raise $1.2 million to move CASA from a 3,200 square foot building to the former headquarters of Craig International, 101 E. Davis St., McKinney.
 The new location, with 6,500 square feet, will allow CASA to expand and provide private offices, a family visitation room, small conference room and parking for 24 cars.
The move is anticipated for late fall of this year. The building campaign will extend through December.
Photo: The formal contract signing for the new building. |
| Volunteers Honored at Luncheon
CASA volunteers were honored with an awards luncheon June 26 to thank them for closing cases from January 1 to May 31 this year.
United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church of McKinney hosted the group under the direction of Tammy Capps.
Honorees received CASA portfolios and certificates as the group heard about their achievements from their casework supervisors.
The luncheons will be held quarterly to show appreciation for these dedicated volunteers.
Receiving the honors are: Bill Bally, Virginia Barrett, Barbara Blanton, Sharon Conley, Dottie Fedderson, Ellen Filtness, Fern Jaffee, Deborah Krocheski, Carroll Maxwell, Becky McGarry, Margaret O'Neill, Rita Sanchez, June Slagle, Pete Slagle and Karen Smith.
Others completing cases include: Debbie Benko, George Bradford, Kate Brandeland, Alex Clark, Terry Felker, Tammy Fickel, Karen Fowler, Jerry Hankins, Winna Hankins, Jill Hansard, Terri Haynes, Nancy Huff, Pam Kidder, Mary King, Grace McIntyre, April Marshall, Kathryn Martinie, Anne Minshull, Stacey Moore, Maggy Naggar, Dub Norrid, Elizabeth Raymond, Sue Reeves, Janet Reid, Stephanie Renteria, Mike Ross, Bernadette Shepherd, Charmaine Solomon, Calia Souder, Tom Steinocher, Jacque Waters and Cynthia Wheeler .
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 CASA Board President Receives TREC HonorDiane Chester, president of the CASA Board of Directors, has been named a "Doer, Dreamer and Unsung Hero" by The Real Estate Council Foundation for her work with CASA and other community organizations.
She will receive her award October 23 at a dinner for 1,500 members of the commercial real estate industry. Diane has chosen to contribute the $5,000 prize to updating technology for the agency.
A video interview of Diane and her contributions to CASA will be filmed and shown at the dinner. |
 Have You Seen It Yet?Our new website is up and filled with CASA people, events, stories, and even an on-line store!
If you are a potential volunteer, find the information and forms on the website, as well as information about our featured Volunteer of the Month.
See our results on the adoption page and read what people are saying about CASA.
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 CASA Thanks ESI
CASA staff delivered breakfast last week to ESI, developer and manufacturer of communications products in Plano, in appreciation of the company's donation of a high-tech phone system to the agency.
The new equipment has allowed CASA to streamline the high number of calls received daily.
Photo:Susan Etheridge, CASA Executive Director, presents a commemorative painting to ESI founder and CEO Eric Suder. |
We hope you enjoyed your personal issue of The CASA Advocate. If you know someone that would be interested in hearing about us, please forward them a copy. Questions and comments are always welcome and may be sent to enews@casaofcollincounty.org.
Sincerely,
CASA of Collin County |
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| July Volunteer
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Virginia Barrett has been serving CASA children for ten years.
"I got involved with CASA as a result of serving on the Grand Jury," she explains. "The child abuse cases they presented to us were so appalling and upsetting that we asked how we could be of help to these children. CASA was suggested to me as a way that I might become involved and make a positive difference in their lives."
She said the affiliation has made a lasting impression on her life. "The CASA personnel, CPS caseworkers, attorneys and foster parents you meet as a volunteer make the job stimulating and rewarding. I've developed long-lasting friendships with many of these people."
In addition to her advocate work, Virginia served twice on the Grand Jury and twice as a commissioner to select the Grand Jury. She is a member of the Collin McKinney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, McKinney Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Collin County Sheriff's Academy Alumni Association and on the Certified Emergency Response Team.
She talks about CASA wherever she goes and has spoken to CASA training classes, a foster parent class, has spoken to the media about the agency, attends the annual gala and influences her friends to participate in the golf tournament and make donations.
Virginia has closed many cases for many children. "I continue to be a CASA volunteer because I can see a difference that an outside, objective advocate can make on the outcome of some of these cases. I get to be with some precious children and the work is mostly pure pleasure."
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Show Your CASA Support |
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We are pleased to introduce exclusive CASA jewelry. Handmade pieces feature children's faces and the CASA name on lanyards, bracelets, watches and magnets.
The beads are made from polymer clay and strung on a stretchy cord with other beads. Colors and styles change seasonally.
These unusual pieces are your opportunity to tell others about the CASA program. Prices include tax.
To purchase these exclusive items benefiting CASA by credit card, visit us online or call 972-529-2272.
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