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Greetings!
As we enjoy the summer months, everyone in the CASA family deserves some rest and relaxation after an amazing first half of the year. We've hosted a fabulous Gala that helped fund the vital work we do on behalf of children in our community. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we've been able to move into beautiful new offices so that we can serve our children better. At our Open House on May 1st, we thanked the community for their support and provided tours of our new offices. Finally, we hosted the highly successful 6th Annual CASAs for Kids Golf Tournament which will certainly help ensure that 100% of the Collin County children removed from unsafe homes will have a CASA Advocate every step of the way. What does this really mean? Each and every child abuse victim in Collin County has a compassionate, caring, experienced and well-trained advocate helping them navigate the complicated and challenging legal and placement steps they face when removed from unsafe homes. All this important work is possible because of our dedicated CASA advocates, volunteers, supporters, donors and the board and staff at CASA of Collin County. Thank you for all you've done to make 2009 an amazing year so far!
Thank you and enjoy a great summer!
Susan Etheridge
Executive Director |
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Open House: May 1, 2009
 Thanks to the support of the community, the CASA Open House was a huge success. Our elected officials were well represented including County Commissioner Kathy Ward who read a proclamation recognizing CASA of Collin County for their advocacy on behalf of children who are innocent victims of abuse and neglect.
Also present included incoming McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller, former Melissa Mayor David Dorman, McKinney City Council Member Pete Huff, as well as many generous donors and supporters of CASA's efforts. The Allen Chamber along with the public assisted with the official ribbon cutting to commemorate the day.
 Lead donor, David Craig [pictured on left with CASA of Collin County Executive Director Susan Etheridge, Campaign Chair David Dorman and Board President Randy Roland] proudly admired the offices and joined all the special capital campaign donors during the tours provided to all in attendance.
McKinney City Council Member Pete Huff and recently elected McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller, enjoy a tour of the CASA offices. Cheryl Buckles, CASA Board Member and David Dorman, Capital Campaign Chair, welcome all the donors and supporters to see the results of their generosity.
 "Now we have a professional, private and child-friendly environment for the Casework Supervisors and CASA Advocates to do their important work in support of our vulnerable children", states Dianne McCall, Program Director for CASA [pictured on right next to CASA Executive Director Susan Etheridge].
"Children have a magical place for play in the visitation room provided by Junior League of Plano, while visiting with the CASA Advocates or with their families during supervised visitation." |
Special Thanks to CASA of Collin County
Capital Campaign Donors
Because of the generosity of the CASA of Collin County Capital Campaign Donors, the children we serve are welcomed in private, child-friendly playrooms and offices. Special thanks to the following Capital Campaign Donors:
Platinum Level
Tina and David Craig
John Lattimore Foundation
Gold Level
Rees-Jones Foundation
Simmons Foundation
Bronze Level
A Voice for Children: David Dorman
Ivory Level
The Container Store
The Chester Family
The Embry Family Foundation
Geico
Junior League of Plano
Sinacola and Sons
TurboChef
David Dorman wants the community to know that donations continue to be needed to complete the $1.2 million capital campaign.
"We have raised over $748,085 but still need the remaining $451,915 to fulfill our fundraising goal," shares Dorman. "Please consider donations for a naming opportunity or the purchase of a brick donation in honor or memory of a loved one."
To find out how you can become a member of this generous group and donate to the CASA of Collin County Capital Campaign, please contact Kathy Blank, Development Director, at 972-529-2272 ext. 103. |
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CASAs for Kids 6th Annual Classic Golf Tournament
A beautiful sunny day greeted the 97 golfers and over 20 volunteers who joined the CASA staff for the CASAs for Kids 6th Annual Classic Golf Tournament on June 1st at the beautiful course at Gentle Creek Golf Club in Prosper.
 Joe Trahan, WFAA sportscaster, joined in the fun by golfing with a team from corporate sponsor, Emerson. After dinner, Joe shared with the golfers the vital work of CASA and encouraged everyone to bid high and often for exceptional silent auction prizes.
 Susie Addison, CASA Special Events Manager, enjoyed working closely with all the generous sponsors including Jeff Hedrick of LeaderBoard Tournament Systems.
 Randy Roland, CASA Board President, enjoyed rounding out the foursome of corporate sponsor Pogue Construction.
 Later in the day, Randy enjoyed awarding the raffle prizes to lucky supporters and announcing the top three teams placing in the tournament. Placing first is Team Bradford [pictured on right] with Chemical Lime Company second and System Electric rounding out the top awards.
However, the real winners are the children who will receive the support of our CASA Advocates as a result of the generosity of the sponsors, golfers and donors to this exceptional event.
Jim Gilligan and his committee did an outstanding job and they will be sharing details for the CASAs for Kids 7th Annual Classic Golf Tournament to be held sometime in June of 2010.
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New Faces to the CASA Family
Join us in welcoming new staff and board members to the exceptional team at CASA of Collin County.  Mark Welch is a longtime CASA supporter and shares, "I previously served from 2004-2007 and just recently rejoined the board. I'm passionate about the role that CASA plays in protecting a child's future. It's a thrill to partner with others who share that passion." Mark is President of View Point Bank, East Region.  Norma Murphy joined the CASA Board as a new member this past March. She currently works as a Realtor with Ebby Halliday in Allen. Prior to that she was a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and feels very fortunate to have the opportunity for this career change. Norma shares, "This gives me the great flexibility to balance work and family life, as well as participate in a great organization such as CASA. There is no greater satisfaction than knowing we at CASA are doing all we can to assist the disadvantaged children of this community." Norma's husband, Jim, is Chief Nursing Officer at Centennial Medical Center - another generous sponsor of CASA!
 Holly Beckerley, Casework Supervisor, joined the CASA family in March of 09. She is shown here with her husband, Zac, and her two dachshunds, Raven and Chloe. Holly shares, "Working at CASA has been fabulous! The support from the staff here and getting to know the families on each case has been wonderful. I am fortunate to have inherited wonderful volunteers who give countless hours to ensure that the children on their case(s) get permanency."
 Pictured with Susan Etheridge and David Dorman, Kathy Blank (at right), Development Director, joined the CASA staff in June. Kathy looks forward to working closely with CASA staff, board members and the community and invites all CASA supporters to come and meet her soon! |
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20 More CASA Advocates Complete Training
In the second largest graduating class ever, 20 more CASA Advocates, whose time and compassion are so vital to each and every child they serve, devoted their time to successfully complete the 30 hour Advocate Training this past April. CASA Advocates provide the consistent voice for child abuse victims, following these vulnerable children during each step of their journey until a safe and permanent home is found.
The next volunteer training will be held this Fall. If you are interested in learning how you can become a CASA Advocate, please contact Dianne McCall. |
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In Memory of Dr. Alex Clark
 The CASA family remembers Dr. Alexander Logie Clark, former Vice President of Academic Affairs at UTD, former CASA Advocate and longtime community volunteer. "He had an incredible gift for learning and for teaching", according to his sister, Elizabeth Spry. Dr. Clark was a longtime mentor and tutor for children at Aldridge Elementary in Plano. He was also a CASA Advocate who was known for his respect for the identity of every child and every youth and every student that he had. Dr. Clark once stated, "I think the kids respond to me. I treat them the way I want them to treat me."
Last year, he spoke about his most memorable case in the five years as a volunteer; a seven-year-old who had been moved five times during his first year of care under CPS.
"When I first met him, I gave him a probability of ten percent of making it," Dr. Clark said. "I promised myself I would do two things for him. Number one was to be there when I said I would to teach him adults could be reliable and the second was to teach him to read."
Dr. Clark's legacy has certainly changed the many lives he touched! To honor Dr. Clark, memorials may be made to CASA of Collin County, 101 E. Davis Street, McKinney, TX 75069 or to the UTD Office of Development, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX. 75080. |
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Forgotten Children Display 
The dedicated staff at CASA of Collin County stand alongside the "Forgotten Children Display" that was part of a nationwide CASA awareness campaign for 2009. Thank you for remembering child abuse victims in Collin County and supporting the vital work we do every day so that our children will NOT be forgotten any longer! | |
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Our Mission is to train community volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children involved in the court system so that each child is placed into a safe, loving home where he or she can thrive.
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Purchase a Commemorative Brick to Show Your Support for CASA of Collin County |
For a donation of $250 for a 4x8 brick or $1,000 for a 12x12 brick, you can have an inscribed brick in memory or honor of a loved one placed on the front walkway of our new offices.
Randy Roland, CASA Board President, places his own brick into the new walkway next to others purchased by generous CASA supporters.
For further information on ordering your brick, contact Kathy Blank, Development Director at 972-529-2272 ext. 103. |
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| Show your support for Texas children through the Lone Star Proud for Kids license plate. CASA of Collin County will receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plates to Collin County residents. Use your credit card to reserve your plate, available ONLY through the Texas CASA website.
Looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of child abuse victims in our community? Your financial support is especially needed now! To find out how your gift can help, please Donate Now! |
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CASA Summer Wish List
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| During a challenging economy, in-kind donations are a great way to support CASA.
Your donations of items on our wish list will help us reduce expenses and ensure that more of our dollars can go directly to the training of our advocates and the important work of our casework supervisors as they assist vulnerable children each step of their journey towards a safe home and healing.
- Kitchen trash bags
- Paper towels
- Tissue boxes
- Dinner napkins
- Ziploc bags/all sizes
- Copy paper
- File folders
- General office supplies (legal pads, pens, pencils, etc.)
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Saying Goodbye! |
Jaime Carter has been a valuable contributor to the CASA team as a Casework Supervisor for almost 4 years. After giving birth to her second child in April, she has decided to stay home with baby Beau and his brother, Bexley. She promises to stay in touch and her former colleagues are signing her on to volunteer to ensure she is not too far away! |
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Thank You to Our Golf Tournament Sponsors
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