January 4th, 2011
CASA toy drive successful

CASA advocates Marie Mastracci, left, and Maria Watkins, right, pick up donated gifts to take to their CASA children.

STAFF REPORT

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Texas said its holiday toy drive provided toys for every one of its children who requested one, serving more than 100 children.

CASA asked local organizations to gather toys for abused and neglected children in Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays Counties. Each child created a “wish list” that was written with his or her first name on a big paper cutout star. The CASA stars were distributed to the organizations so groups could purchase gifts specifically for each child.

Groups that provided gifts and goodies for CASA children were the New Braunfels Girl Scouts, Austin Texas Martial Arts Centers, Buda United Methodist Church, Broadway Bank in New Braunfels, Horton Draperies of Texas, Inc., Sandy Keogh, Don and Patricia McCaleb, Old Oaks Ranch in Wimberley, San Marcos Pan American Golf Association and the Texas State University Police Department.

CASA volunteers picked up the gifts to take to the children they serve. CASA said it is grateful for the generosity shown to them by all of the groups who participated in the toy drive.

CASA serves children who have been removed from their homes because the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services determined they were living in environments that were harmful to their wellbeing.  The children spent their holidays in foster care, with family members who were able to take them in, or in emergency shelters.

CASA of Central Texas, Inc. advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers. Those interested in volunteering or supporting CASA in any way may contact the office at (512) 392-3578 or (830) 626-2272. More information is available at www.casacentex.org.