Greetings!
CASA is welcoming fall with so many activities! Benefits include two golf tournaments, art auction, fashion show and of course, the "My Funny Valentine" gala in February. Volunteer opportunities are available for many upcoming activities, as well as for our long-anticipated move in January.
|
 Gala Plans Announced
Pre-gala activities are in full swing for the largest CASA fundraiser of the year, "My Funny Valentine" set for February 7 at Hotel Intercontinental.
A luncheon fashion event kicked-off the gala season, to be followed by a golf event party for sponsors and the committee October 16 and a preview party at the new Bachendorf's at Plano Shops at Legacy November 13.
 The Ewing Autohaus Mercedes-Benz My Funny Valentine Gala is presented by Centennial Medical Center of Frisco/Tenent Healthcare Corporation and will feature singer, songwriter and recording artist Hunter Sullivan.
Dean Lewis, who has written for Jay Leno and worked with Chris Rock and Dennis Miller, will serve as emcee.
Danya Timmons is chairing the group which includes: Susie Addison, Paromona Amin, Cheryl Buckles, Caryl Cherry, Diane Chester, Susan Etheridge, Claudia France-Hall, Sheryl France, Beverly Hayes, Jana Jenkins, Gina Lester, Sara McKay, Donna Miller, Debbie Mormon, Nancy Murphy, Connie Rhoades, Shelly Russell, Karen L. Smith, Teresa Smith, Laura Stengle, Carolyn Sullivan, Yvonne Thompson, Jenni Tran, Lisa Utley, Jenny Woodling and Megan Yeaman.
For sponsorship, underwriting and live and silent auction information, please visit the website, www.casaofcollincounty.org, or click here. |
YES! We have them
 Tickets for the upcoming Nationwide PGA Tour at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney are now available from CASA. The tour will be November 6 - 9 and features players qualifying for the PGA.
Tickets are $10 for any day and CASA receives ALL monies from each ticket sold! That's right - you can see the tournament at this beautiful course and support the work of CASA of Collin County at the same time.
To order tickets, please call Susie Addison at the CASA office, 972-529-2272. |
 Stonebridge Ranch Golf Event Features McIlwain
Channel 5 reporter Randy McIlwain will serve as the celebrity chair of the Stonebridge Ranch Business Connect Golf Tournament Tuesday, November 11 at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club.
The first annual event will benefit CASA of Collin County, with check-in at 10 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11:30. Sponsorships are still available, including the title which includes a golf membership at the Ranch, a $6,000 value.
Activities include lunch, refreshments, contests, prizes and a post-tournament reception. Registration is $150 per player or $500 for a team of four.
For more information and to register, please see the website, www.casaofcollincounty.org, or click here. |
|
Local Artists Sponsor 'Draw' Event
 Twelve area artists from Garret Art Gallery will be showcasing their talents in the "Quick Draw" event benefiting CASA Saturday, November 8 at 7 p.m. Each artist will paint for an hour and 15 minutes while viewers enjoy refreshments and watch the progress. All paintings will be auctioned at 9 p.m. with 100% of the proceeds benefiting CASA of Collin County.
The event will coincide with the monthly Second Saturday sponsored by downtown McKinney merchants, and shops and restaurants will remain open for extended hours.
The gallery is located at 111 E. Virginia St. To view works by participating artists, visit the gallery's website. |
|
Park Cars for CASA at PGA Tournament
Come help CASA park cars November 7 - 9 for the Nationwide PGA  tournament at TPC Craig Ranch. You don't need to drive - just point them in the correct direction.
We need workers in two shifts, 7 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking will be $5 per car and CASA keeps the proceeds!
Thanks to UPS volunteers for taking all shifts on November 7!
To sign up, please call Susie Addison at the CASA office, 972-529-2272.
| |
|
Volunteer Luncheon Honors CASAs with Closed Cases
Twenty-four CASA volunteers who closed cases between June 1 and September 1 were honored at a September 18 luncheon at Trinity Presbyterian Church in McKinney.
These volunteers ensured the children they represented were placed in the most appropriate settings and closed their files.
Honorees were: June and Pete Slagle; Mary Haynes; Susie Addison; Carolyn Bedinghaus; Ann Rowan-Smith; Martha Aguilar; Kate Brandeland; Gene Pringle; Laurie Hubert; Beth Malone; Deborah Krocheski; Aaron Robb; Michiel Arrington; Becky McGarry; Heather Weemes; Ardis Lo; Pam Walker; Michael Ross; Cynthia Theimer; Gilda Daniel; Stephanie Renteria; Terri Haynes and Judy Stafford.
[Photo: A few of the honored volunteers pose at the Closed Case Luncheon sponsored by the Women of Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney.] |
|
Primrose Schools Present Checks to CASA
CASA of Collin County is the beneficiary of monies raised by four Primrose Schools through the character development program conducted in the preschools.
 Participating locations include Stone Brook, Eldorado, Bent Trail and BreckenridgePark.
Children and families enrolled at the schools raised the funds through fairs and other activities.
Kelly Davis, executive director and owner of the four participating schools, said "We promote the traditional values in our schools of giving, sharing and participating in Primrose Charities."
CASA has been the beneficiary for four years. |
|
Luncheon Fashion Event Kicks Off Gala
Olea Mediterranean Bistro was the setting for the 2009 My Funny Valentine kick-off luncheon September 26.
 Committee members, CASA volunteers and guests enjoyed informal modeling and a look at fall styles and trends from Nordstrom presented by Image Consultant Lisa Rowe, owner of The Perfect Image.
Modeling the latest looks were Gala Chair Danya Timmons and committee members Cheryl Buckles and Gina Lester.
Mayra Rams-Sanabria, international makeup artist and owner of Fabulous Faces, spoke about skin care and fall makeup trends.
The restaurant is located in LakesideVillage on Preston Road in Plano.
[Photo: From left, Lisa Rowe, CASA Board of Directors President Diane Chester and Mayra Rams-Sanabria]
|
Junior League of Plano Hosts Volunteer
Appreciation Dinner
 The CASA of Collin County Volunteer of the Year and CPS Workers of the Year will be announced at the Annual CASA Volunteer Awards Dinner set for October 28.
Hosted by Junior League of Plano, the event honors the 165 CASA volunteers and board of directors who have donated their time to the CASA mission. |
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 |
|
|
| October Volunteer
|
|
Ardis Los |
|
CASA Ardis Lo took on the case of a teenage runaway - and ended up with a chicken.
October's CASA of the Month, Ardis Lo, remembers with both pain and sadness the case of a teen that was a habitual runaway and left her 16th placement in a year, only to hang out at a local library. "She has a habit of running when she gets upset," the CASA recounted.
"A woman who worked at the library felt sorry for her, and took her home," Artis says, but it was deemed not to be a suitable placement for the child, and one day, the woman was just not there. The teen called Ardis, who immediately went to pick her up, and discovered the teen had purchased a live young chicken from a street vendor and was carrying it around in her purse.
"I think she was looking for something to love and attach to," said Ardis, who took the chicken home. "Of course she couldn't take it to her next placement, so I kept the chicken inside in a big box for two weeks."
Ardis said her husband was not pleased with the new bird resident, and she began to look for another home for the chicken, connecting with a vet who helped her place the chicken at a farm.
The teenager is now in a residential treatment center and will be on her own when she turns 18 shortly. She and Ardis remain in touch.
"I love kids," the CASA says. "So many kids don't have emotional support at home and see things that are not for children's eyes. I want to be there to give them that support."
A CASA since 2006, Ardis has three active cases and has had a total of five. She found CASA through the Internet search engine Google when she was looking for a way to help "defenseless things." She admits to a soft spot for children, the elderly and animals.
Ardis has two children of her own, 2 and 4, and uses running as stress relief. She runs at least 4 times a week, and has participated in half marathons.
Angela Coleman, casework supervisor, says "Ardis knows more about her cases then anybody else. She testifies well and is always prepared. She has impressed many attorneys by knowing all answers to a case when asked." Angela said of her CASA "Ardis is great, kind; she listens well and takes redirection." | |
|
