Greetings!
Fall is in the air! Even in Texas, we can begin to see a glimmer of hope that the 100 plus degree days are behind us. Evenings are cooler and it is time to think about opening up windows and spending more time out of doors. Children are back into their fall routine with school, homework and their extracurricular activities.
For those of us in the business of protecting children, these days often bring an increase in the calls to report child abuse. Now that children are under the watchful eye of teachers, there is a higher likelihood that an adult will uncover the horrible secrets that innocent children keep to themselves.
Be the one who is not afraid to stand up for children and make sure you are watching out for the children you encounter. Listen, observe and watch over our children. They are depending on us.
Susan Etheridge
Executive Director |
Fall CASA Advocate Training Right Around the Corner
Training begins on October 17, 2009! Dianne McCall, Program director, announces the dates for the Fall Training Class for new advocates. Training begins on October 17th. Please contact Dianne to sign up for the class and become a CASA Volunteer Advocate! If you would like more information, please visit our website. |
 Indoor and Outdoor Play Rooms for Children are Transformed!
Russell Grimes Construction and Lattimore Materials Company work together to pour concrete into the outdoor playground area for CASA.
 Pete Hutchinson and his crew from Hutch-N-Son Painting & Drywall helped prime the wall and playground structures in preparation for JCPenney volunteers' assistance in painting the top coat. Special thanks to Seth Black at Sherwin Williams on Avenue K in Plano for donating the paint!  Larry Robinson, from 3e McKinney, helped coordinate this wonderful project with all those who have donated labor and materials so that child abuse victims have a fun, fanciful outdoor playground during supervised visitation with parents.
 Special thanks to our JCPenney friends, Sonoma and Toddo Taylor, Cris Mullins and Lisa Smith for their painting expertise with the indoor mural that brings a smile to children and adults alike using the indoor playroom! Pictured are Susan Etheridge, Executive Director of CASA, and David Dorman, Capital Campaign Chair for CASA, next to the fanciful indoor playground mural for the enjoyment of the children we serve.  This farmhouse façade will be one of the fanciful play structures that greet children as they enjoy the outdoor play space. Special thanks for all those donating funding, labor, time and talent to this project. We can't wait to share the final results in October! |
Sheriff Terry Box and his committee have added CASA of Collin County as a beneficiary to his exceptional golf tournament that has raised over $864,000 since its inception in 1993. We invite you to join his team and support this event as a sponsor ($1500 to $400 sponsorships available), golfer ( $130 per golfer) or donate to the silent auction.
For more information, contact Mike Anderson at 972-547-5100. |
 CASA Night at Texas Tornado! Bring Family and Friends!
Come watch the excitement of the Texas Tornado Hockey team as they take on the St. Louis Bandits on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, TX. Many great ticket deals are available!
 $5.00 from each ticket sold to benefit CASA of Collin County!To order your tickets, contact Jason Rochal, Texas Tornados at 972-335-9800. All tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, October 21, 2009! This offer not available on game day! |
 Swing Fore Life Golf TournamentLove Life Foundation will host the 7th Annual Swing Fore Life Golf Tournament on October 4, 2009. CASA of Collin County is fortunate to be named as one of the beneficiaries! For more information, visit the Love Life Foundation event page. |
 Clean Out Your "Casa" for CASA!Everyone has items in their home or closets that they no longer need or want. Why not dust them off and bring them to CASA for our Rummage Sale that will be held on September 26th! We will take gently used items that are in good order and ready to sell. To donate, please email or call us at 972-529-2272 and ask for Erica (ext. 107) or Susie (ext. 115) or bring them by our office during business hours. Erica and Susie are already sorting through the wonderful rummage sale donations!
Volunteers are needed on Friday, September 25th to sort and price items and to help at our sale all day on Saturday, September 26th. Can you help? Contact Erica to volunteer!
Come shop, as well! That same day, the square in McKinney will host Octoberfest! |
 Kathy Blank, Development Director, and Susan Etheridge, Executive Director, accept a generous check from Brian Seely, store manager of Fish Express in Frisco, for $436.23 from our Fish Express Day held in August. A donation of that level can help provide a child with an advocate for almost 6 months! Visit their restaurant located at the Tollway and Warren and thank them for their support of CASA! |
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Summer Fundraisers Support CASA of Collin County
 Deborah Krocheski, pictured on right, is a CASA volunteer advocate who helped her friend, Cindy Ritchie, host a fun summer party to benefit CASA of Collin County. Cindy and her friends so generously donated $3,500 towards our capital campaign, $740 in unrestricted donations, $893.82 in gift cards! Thank you Cindy Ritchie and friends for your generosity. |
 Neiman Marcus Willow Bend Top Ten Women of Collin County Luncheon
Diane Chester and 15 CASA supporters attended a special luncheon with Mayor Phil Dyer held to honor Diane and 9 other Collin County women for their charitable work in our community. Diane's portrait by Gittings was unveiled and she also enjoyed a special dinner with the Mayor of Frisco, Maher Maso.
Special thanks to all those attending in support of CASA and to Marcus Wyss, Chuck Steelman and April Wilson from Neiman Marcus Willow Bend for a fabulous charity event! View article in the August issue of the Plano Insider. | |
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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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| September is Volunteer Appreciation Month at Studio Movie Grill!
As a reward for all the hardworking volunteers in Texas, Studio Movie Grill is giving away movie tickets! Simply click on this link to print out the coupon and enjoy a movie with a friend!
The passes are good from September 8th through September 30th at any Studio Movie Grill location.
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New Laws Protecting Our Children |
Seatbelts:
HB 537 requires all occupants of a vehicle, no matter their age, to be secured by a safety belt, no matter where they are seated in the vehicle;
The bill requires that any child younger than 8 years of age be restrained in an approved child passenger safety seat unless the child is at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height.
Driving:
HB 55 makes it illegal to use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.
Driver license:
HB 2730 requires that all applicants under the age of 18 take the driving skills exam to receive a driver license.
HB 2730 and HB 339 restrict all drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.
HB 339 increases the total hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction a teen receives from 14 to 34 after TEA develops criteria for curriculum. (In effect May 1, 2010)
Crime:
HB 558 allows minors to be charged with public intoxication.
HB 2386 allows courts to immediately seal juvenile criminal records if the juvenile successfully completes a drug court program, or another special program ordered by the court.
Registered sex offenders:
SB 689 restricts Internet usage by certain registered sex offenders, and requires registered sex offenders to provide information about their e-mail addresses when they register.
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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 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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CASA in the News |
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Save the Date:
Hoorah for Hollywood Voices for Children Gala to benefit CASA of Collin County
Sat., March 6, 2010
Hotel Intercontinental
Addison, TX
Sponsorships
available now! |
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Capital Campaign |
| Please consider a donation to our capital campaign to help complete our fundraising goal for the CASA of Collin County Offices. Naming Opportunities are still available for a variety of donation levels from $50,000 to $10,000 and bricks are also available for a donation of $250 to $1,000.
Mark Carswell, CASA Board Member is shown installing a commemorative brick in our front walkway.
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