CASA fundraiser slated April 12 in Palestine

Not only is the month of April Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month but it is also the time for the annual fundraiser for CASA of Trinity Valley. The CASA 5K, 10K, Kids K & Walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, at the Story Elementary School, East Loop 256, Palestine. This event is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Texas CASA.

Registration can be completed at www.casaoftv.org,, by completing a registration form found in the Palestine Herald Press or contact the local office at (903) 675-7070. On-site registration begins at 7 a.m. on race day; races begin at 8 a.m. Packet pickup will be at the Anderson County YMCA from 3 -6 p.m. Friday, April 11th. Runners will receive an event t-shirt and those placing in the top three of each age group will also receive a trophy. Races are chip timed and placing will be presented immediately following the races.

A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer gives a 'voice' to the child he or she is assigned to and acts as the "eyes and ears" for a judge. As an advocate for their child, a volunteer investigates, researches, and completes tasks that ensure the successful outcome for their CASA child, while he or she goes through a tedious court and foster care process. Volunteering with CASA of Trinity Valley is a positive step towards protecting area children from abuse and neglect.

Often the CASA volunteer is the only person the child has to turn to during the difficult process of change in his life. The CASA volunteer does not work as the caseworker or attorney, instead they help in ways a caseworker or attorney cannot. Last year, 4,928 trained CASA volunteers worked diligently to find permanent homes for 20,509 abused and neglected children in Texas alone. CASAs play a key role in these children's lives and are, in the children's eyes, irreplaceable.

"Being a CASA volunteer is not for everyone," said Executive Director Lee Ann Millender. "This is a challenge but a rewarding, informative and intimate one." Volunteers must undergo a background check, 30 hours of training and make at least a one year commitment to the children. Training for area volunteers will be scheduled for May in Palestine. Currently, there are 68 CASA programs operating in 202 counties across the state, including CASA of Trinity Valley serving Henderson, Anderson and Cherokee Counties.

For more information about CASA programs call CASA of Trinity Valley at (903) 675- 7070, or visit www.texascasa. org.