Dear Friends,

As the holiday season comes to an end, and we look forward to a new year, it is a time to reflect on ways we can make a positive difference in our lives -- and others. For those of you who supported CASA Lake County and the children who so desperately need us, thank you.  2014 will surely be another challenging year as cases of abuse in Illinois and Lake County continue to rise, and our most innocent victims -- through no fault of their own -- are targets of violence. As a colleague recently reminded me, "unfortunately we can't control what happens behind closed doors or stop the violent acts of others, but we can embrace these abused children in the aftermath and do everything in our power to ensure they are placed in a safe, permanent and nurturing home"

On behalf of CASA Lake County and the nearly 600 children we serve, we wish you a warm, healthy, safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Terri

Terri Z. Greenberg

Executive Director

Grainger Has A Holiday Heart

W.W. Grainger Branch Manager in the Waukegan branch Jesse Moffitt (r to l) and Market Manager Gene O'Sullivan present CASA's Terri Z. Greenberg with a $10,000 gift to recruit, train and supervise CASA Advocates for foster children living in Waukegan, Illinois - a community with increasing reports of abuse. Grainger truly gives back.

W.W. Grainger, a charitable company located a stone's throw from CASA's offices, has always been on our "partnership" wish list. And that wish came true a few weeks ago when Grainger Branch Manager Jesse Moffitt, came to visit and learn more about how we help Lake County's abused children. Read more. 

CASA's Brendan Siegfried and Joanie Bayhack try out blankets donated by Project Linus.

Project Linus Provides "Warm, Fuzzy and Functional" for our Children this Winter

Linus, a non-profit organization who creates hand-made blankets for people in need, surprised us with brightly colored, luxurious and cozy blankets just in time for Chicago's first day of winter. Read more. 

Walden Elementary Teaches to Give Back

Walden friends (l to r) Erin Kerpel, Dawn Reichman, Kris Graham Heidi Sparacino, Chair of the Philanthropy Committee, CASA's Wendy LaPlaca and Elizabeth Sammann.

This is the 5th year for WE Care for CASA, a program sponsored by the Walden Elementary Philanthropy Committee.  This year families and friends of Walden Elementary School in Deerfield provided hundreds of gifts for our CASA children including necessity items, including bedding and warm clothing for winter.  Read more.