CASA Program Helps Lake County Kids in Need

More than 300 new winter jackets and other seasonal clothing items were donated in December by local residents to the annual Giving Tree Program organized by CASA Lake County for the county children CASA serves. The program was supported by 30 local businesses, churches and schools.

CASA Lake County is a non-profit organization that advocates for children who have been abused and/or neglected and are party to cases active in the Lake County juvenile court system. CASA is supported by nearly 300 local volunteers who are trained by the organization and certified by the court to advocate on behalf of the children. The donated items were distributed by CASA volunteers directly to the children with whom they work. A majority of the children are in foster care.

Businesses and organizations participating in the program this year included 20 Lake County Starbucks, many of which have partnered with CASA for eight years. In addition, participants included The Barre Code, in Vernon Hills; SOMA, in Deer Park; The Olive Garden, in Gurnee; Heathy Body, Healthy Mind, in Vernon Hills; Move Studio, in Lincolnshire and Deer Park; Bright Horizons, in Vernon Hills; The Chapel; and the Jesus Name Apostolic Church, in Waukegan. Each location allowed CASA to set up a holiday tree decorated with colorful tags, each requesting an item needed by a child. The requests included coats, hats, gloves, snow pants, boots, shoes, clothes and gift cards. Customers took the tags and returned to the location.

Anyone interested in volunteering for CASA Lake County, please contact Debra Lerner-Schmidt at 847-383-6262 or dlernerschmidt