Greetings!
Even though it's already hot, CASA is heating up with events and activities for the fall! The gala committee will be announcing its plans next month, golf tournaments are planned for November and May, 2009 and we have joined with the Salesmanship Club to fund CASA with an event the first week of November at Craig Ranch. Interviews are in progress for the next volunteer class and a series of education events begins August 19. Check out the website, www.casaofcollincounty.org for more details! |
| Capital Campaign Passes Halfway Mark
 Thanks to the generosity of Collin County individuals and businesses, CASA has surpassed the 50 percent mark for the capital campaign.
Move-in date is tentatively set for November, when Craig International will relocate to Craig Ranch and CASA will occupy their space at 101 E. Davis St., right off the McKinney Square.
The new building will double the size of the current CASA office and allow for a larger family visit room and private offices for casework supervisors, who are sharing space with up to three people in offices designed for one.
Capital Campaign Chairman David Dorman, mayor of Melissa and member of the CASA Advisory Board, says he is pleased with the progress of the campaign, in which CASA will own the building in lieu of renting a facility as they have done in the past.
For more information about the campaign, please click here. |
| Junior League to Decorate Family Visit Room
Members of the Junior League of Plano will be decorating and furnishing the family visit room at the new CASA location in McKinney.
The group will design a child-friendly area for children and their parents for monitored visits as part of their Done in A Day community projects.
The group was also a sponsor in the June golf tournament. |
|
Merry Christmas for CASA!
 Hundreds of CASA children will have a nice holiday this year, thanks to members of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce Links group.
Chamber members will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect from now through December 15.
Collection boxes are at Rapid Refill Ink, McKinney, where owner Trudy Whitney is offering a $3 off coupon in exchange for a toy, and at Tutoring Club, McKinney, from Stuart Pearlman. Both businesses are located on Central Expressway.
For a complete list of most-needed items, please visit these businesses or the CASA website. |
|
Lights, Camera, Action!
 CASA Board President Diane Chester was the center of attention while making a video about her experiences with CASA. A volunteer since 2001, she was recently named winner of The Real Estate Council Doers, Dreamers and Unsung Heroes Award.
Filmed and interviewed by Brian Jensen, former WFAA-TV sportscaster, Diane told of her dedication to CASA and talked about some of the children she represented, as well as her vision for the organization.
The video will be shown during the awards celebration dinner October 23. |
|
CASA TALK Programs Announced
 A series of three CASA TALK programs will begin with ECI - Early Childhood Intervention August 19 at noon. The September 2 program is Stranger Danger - Things that Lurk in Our Community, which begins at noon, followed by Infant Mental Health October 2 at 6 p.m.
The courses are part of CASA inservice continuous training for volunteers. For more information and reservations, please call CASA at 972-529-2272. | |
|
Team holds Christmas in July for CASA
The McKinney Marshals Collegiate Baseball Team held a Christmas in July Toy Collection for CASA July 25 at the Ballfield at Craig Ranch.
Sports fans brought toys to be distributed to the abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes and are in alternative placement situations.
CASA staffer Susie Addison threw out the first pitch in the Marshals victory game. |
|
Golf Tournament set for June 1, 2009
 The annual CASAs for Kids Golf Tournament is set for June 1 of 2009, returning to Gentle Creek Golf Club in Prosper. Channel 8 Sports Anchor Joe Trahan will be returning as master of ceremonies.
Players in this year's tournament resoundingly approved Gentle Creek, calling it "player friendly" and "exceptionally beautiful."
The committee planning next year's event is now forming and open to new members. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact the CASA office. We would love to have you!
Forms to sign up for sponsorships and reservations are now available. A pre-party for sponsors will be held at Steve Fields Steak and Lobster Lounge in May. |
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 |
|
|
| August Volunteer
|
|
|
August Volunteer of the Month, Leo Norton, is praised for the integrity and intensity of his work with the children on his cases.
"Leo is extremely conscientious and works his cases very methodically and thoroughly," said Joanna Halteman, his CASA casework supervisor. "I know I can always count on him to find very pertinent information."
He is also one of the most interactive volunteers, playing, flying kites and doing almost any activity his children wish. He even taught a 16-year-old to drive!
"I never met a kid I didn't like," he says.
Leo was a CASA when he lived in Maryland and has a degree in psychology and law. He worked for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the US GAO of Special Investigations and is now a retired attorney.
"When I moved to Texas, I decided to step away from CASA for a while, but God was pushing me in that direction. It was really for the kids," he said, and joined CASA of Collin County in 2004.
He has closed six cases and is currently working on three. Many of the children from earlier cases have stayed in touch with him. He has had three adoptions with another to be finalized this fall.
"My most memorable case," he responds to the question, "was the first one I had as a CASA in Texas. It involved two brothers, 7 and 12. Mom was bi-polar and had drug and a lot of other problems and ended up in prison."
Leo describes the older boy as troubled and unable to adapt in foster homes. He wanted to be returned to his mother, which is common in many children, who are most comfortable in the only lifestyles they have ever known. He remains in a rehabilitation placement.
"Children will always love their mothers, no matter what happens," the volunteer observed.
The younger child, however, lives with relatives out of state and is happy and doing well. "I still hear from him, and he even gave me his toy duck before he moved," Leo says.
"Most cases are very happy," he reflects. "It's hard to dislike the moms even when you can see their flaws."
His experience gives him great insight into the legal aspects of the cases, Joanna said.
"He is very professional and patient and brings a calming influence to the children and everyone else involved." |
 |
|
Who is this Man? |
|
Do you recognize this face? Hint: He is connected to "King for a Day."
Find out who he is and his connection to CASA of Collin County in next month's Advocate.
| |
|
