195 children in foster care receive gifts through CASA of McHenry County

Just in time for the holidays, volunteer Advocates from CASA of McHenry County delivered donated gifts to 195 McHenry County children and youth in foster care.

Each child completed a wish list with three "needs" and three "wants."

The lists included details such as the child's favorite color, favorite sports team, and shoe size. Very generous donors purchased all six items on every child's list!

The CASA office filled with bags and bags of wrapped gifts. Then CASA's volunteer Advocates delivered the gifts to each child on their cases.

CASA volunteers are assigned to a single case involving children who have suffered abuse or neglect.

The volunteer gets to know the child and advocates for the child's needs through a report to the juvenile court. The Advocate is often the only constant adult in the child's life through the entire case.

Volunteers swear-in as Advocates after completing a training program.

Interested individuals can attend an upcoming info session: Jan. 12, Feb. 21, March 22 or April 13. All sessions are on Zoom at 7 p.m. Register at www.casamchenrycounty.org/nextsteps.

The next training program begins Feb. 1 at the CASA office in Crystal Lake.

CASA is grateful to each and every generous donor in McHenry County who participated in providing gifts for these deserving children.

A very special thanks to Jill Panko, who coordinated a majority of the donations through The Giving Door (thegivingdoor.org). It is so encouraging to see the community come together to give every child a wonderful Christmas!