CASA, U-haul to host holiday toy drive Saturday
Event to benefit local foster children
For children spending the holidays in foster care away from their family, receiving a special gift means a lot.
This holiday season, CASA of Tulare County is collaborating with local organizations and individuals to provide gifts for children ages newborn to 18 years old who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and are currently in foster care.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, local community members can join in a “Fill a U-haul Truck with Toys” event. Sponsored by Leo and Stephanie Cortez, owners of ITC and U-haul neighborhood dealer in Porterville, along with Eagle Mountain Casino and Ruffa Electric, the donated toys will help make the season a bit brighter for children who may not otherwise have much to celebrate during the holidays.
Community members can give Santa a hand by donating a new, unwrapped toy at the Uhaul neighborhood dealer at 1181 W. Olive Ave. in Porterville between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Those who donate will receive Eagle Mountain Casino bonus cash for every new toy donated. All new toys will go to a foster child in need through CASA of Tulare County.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to extend the giving tradition to children in our community. There are hundreds of children in need that, with your help, will get to experience some joy during the holidays this year. That’s a lot of stockings to fill, so we’re asking you to join us in our toy drive this year,” said Anthony Maldonado, outreach coordinator for CASA of Tulare County in Porterville. “The community support we’ve received in Porterville has been outstanding, and we look forward to continuing to grow and serve more children in need.”
CASA of Tulare County recently opened a satellite office in Porterville to help children in rural and tribal areas who have experienced abuse and neglect. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers go through training to serve as advocates for children in the foster care system, who are often going through court proceedings and other challenges.
CASA volunteers serve as a voice for abused and neglected foster children — visiting with a child on a regular basis, interacting with all professionals involved in the child’s case and making recommendations directly to the court, ensuring the child’s best interests are heard.
Thanks to community support, as of November 2017, there are nine new CASA volunteers serving more than 20 children in the Porterville area. CASA will begin training volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates in February 2018.
To learn more about volunteering and how you can make a critical difference in a child’s life, contact Anthony Maldonado, CASA outreach coordinator, via email at amaldonado@casatulareco.org, or by phone at 625-4007 or visit the CASA website at www.casatulareco.org.