Consider CASA at Christmas Time
Last Friday, Milam County held the annual Employees Christmas Party at the Cowboy church in Rockdale. The Adult Probation Department organized and hosted the event, and I can report that it was a wonderful evening with some of the best food I have had in a while. I wanted to thank Steve Morris and the Adult Probation Department along with the Community Services Department led by Frank Summers for all their hard work in making the evening such a special night.
Along with the party, there was a silent auction which raised over $3,200 to support CASA of Milam County. The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Milam County, or as they are more commonly known, CASA, is an important cog in the wheel of the justice system specifically aimed at supporting our county’s foster children by giving these children an advocate who will represent their best interests to the court. This organization is all volunteers from the administration that oversees things to the volunteers who work as these Special Advocates. As with any volunteer organization, funding is always an issue and CASA of Milam County is no exception.
While the county provides a stipend each year to help organizations like CASA, it’s only a portion of what these organizations need in order to handle this formidable job. One that affects so many people throughout the county by serving our smallest victims; the children who are the victims of abuse, endangerment, and neglect. Unfortunately, these kids are all-to-often overlooked by our fast-paced society – they shouldn’t be.
There are four agencies in Milam County who deal with the needs of our children; the CPS Board, CASA of Milam County, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Central Texas, and Place of Hope. All four of these Non-Profit agencies work for the betterment of the children and families of Milam County, to provide the social support, impart the knowledge of child development, and provide the concrete resources the Community needs to ensure all children grow to their full potential. They need your help, whether monetarily or as a volunteer, to help these organizations which in turn will help children in need.
Children are our future, they are our promise, they are the loves of our lives, and they truly are the gifts that God has blessed us with. As I have said since taking office, the safety and security of Milam County and its citizens should always be the most important thing to County Government and to the County as a whole. As are our most valuable assets, these children should always come first.
I know the task seems large and the idea that one person can make a difference surely seems like a cliché, but remember, while no single person can solve the whole problem, each person can play a part and it’s up
to each of us to do our part. Maybe, just maybe, if each of us does our part then we can eventually live in a world where something like Child Abuse Awareness Month is no longer needed. I pray that day comes sooner rather than later.
I know our Christman schedules tend to be busy, but please take some time and consider the difference you could make helping with this effort. CASA volunteers usually spend about ten hours a month working on this and all the training and equipment you need will be provided. These are our kids, Milam County’s kids, and it’s up to us to make the difference in their lives. So, while you’re planning your Christmas giving, please consider a gift of your time or money to those who need it the most – our Kids in foster care.
