Dee Evers, a Jacksonville resident, has taken on the mission of increasing CASA Giving Trees in Jacksonville and West Medford. “Children are the future of our nation, and are the heartbeat as well. What could be a better way to help in one’s community than with the innocent children who are victims of neglect and abuse? It gives me great satisfaction that through the Giving Tree program, in my own small, indirect way, I can contribute a tiny modicum of happiness for them during the holiday season.”
You can find CASA Giving Trees at these Jacksonville merchants: Bella Union, WillowCreek, Las Palmas, Gina’s Grooming, and Terra Firma. Return the new, unwrapped gift with card attached, by December 16, 2016 or deliver to the CASA office at 613 Market in Medford.
The Giving Tree program is designed to assure that each child receives at least one gift for the holidays. Tags are placed on a tree at local businesses, which can be taken by a customer or employee, who then purchase a gift for the child. It is placed under the tree, unwrapped, with the tag attached. Monetary gifts may also be given if preferred. CASA volunteers then deliver the gifts to the children.
Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, provides a powerful voice for abused and neglected children. In 2015, there were 840 founded cases of abuse and neglect in Jackson County. In an overburdened system, these children risk slipping through the cracks and suffering from further abuse. CASA volunteers have the power to prevent this tragic reality. These dedicated, highly-trained community members serve as fact finders for the judge by researching the background of each assigned case. They speak for the child in the courtroom, representing the child’s best interests, and work to move the child as quickly and effectively as possible through the system and into a safe, permanent home.
CASA volunteers do what no one else does—they volunteer their time to act as independent eyes and ears of the court and speak solely for the best interest of children and youth in the custody of DHS. They make sure medical needs are addressed, meet with teachers in the school and ensure that the children have the appropriate clothing and other seasonal necessities. Most importantly, they make sure the child is safe.
CASA of Jackson County has served over 600 children at the present time, and there are another 450 on the waiting list for CASA’s to be trained and assigned.
If you are interested in hosting a CASA Giving Tree, becoming a CASA or would like to learn more information, please contact CASA of Jackson County at 541-734-2272 or email Erin Carpenter at ecarpenter@jacksoncountycasa.org.