Woodford County community members kicked off the holiday season Nov. 11 by pledging to purchase gifts for 32 abused or neglected Woodford County children.
The eighth annual Woodford County CASA Joy Tree lighting was held at Lakeshore Learning’s Midway facility. It was attended by more than 40 people, many of whom took names and wish lists of children in the local family court system from the CASA Joy Tree.
Joy Tree participants will now go shopping for their children’s wishes, then bring the items back by the end of the month. CASA volunteers will then deliver the items to the children’s caretakers in time for the holidays.
CASA Executive Director Melynda Jamison said there are likely more than 100 Woodford County children who suffered abuse or neglect and have open family court cases right now. Many of those children are not living with their parents while the cases proceed.
Jamison added that Woodford County also has one of the most successful Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs in the state, which is able to provide a CASA volunteer to about half of the children in the family court system. In 2025, 54 children received a CASA volunteer.
Each CASA volunteer is matched with an abused or neglected child. The volunteer visits their child monthly, learns about their life, and shares information with the judge on their case. CASA reports provide information no one else has time to gather and can ensure better outcomes for the children.
Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay spoke at the CASA Joy Tree event, beginning by thanking veterans in attendance on Veterans Day. He also thanked Lakeshore Learning for supporting CASA and employing people in Woodford County.
“CASA is something more people need to know about. When you leave here today, I hope you will be advocates for CASA and what they do,” Kay told the crowd. “CASA does God’s work in our community every day.”
Kay added that while Woodford may have a relatively low rate of child abuse and neglect, “one is too many. One is a tragedy.”
“I hope you all will take an envelope, support a child and make sure they have a moment where they get to open their presents under the tree, no matter what else is going on in their lives,” he said.
Versailles Mayor Laura Dake also spoke at the event. Dake said she is glad Versailles invests in its children through its financial support of CASA.
“The City of Versailles is proud to support this very valuable service to our community, and especially to our children,” she said.
Jamison noted that Woodford County Fiscal Court, Versailles and Midway all provide funding so that CASA can operate in Woodford County. And it’s the same in each of the seven counties the program serves.
“To get seven counties and even more cities working together is a huge win,” she said. “It shows that here in central Kentucky, we care about our children and we will invest in them.”
All the names on the Woodford County Joy Tree were taken Nov. 11, but as new cases move through the courts, additional children may need gifts. You can sign up to buy gifts for an additional CASA Joy Tree child by emailing jjohnson@casaoflexington.org. You can also purchase supplemental gifts from the CASA Joy Tree wish list available at www.casaoflexington.org/joytree.Tuesday, but as new cases move through the courts, additional children may need gifts. You can sign up to buy gifts for an additional CASA Joy Tree child by emailing jjohnson@casaoflexington.org. You can also purchase supplemental gifts from the CASA Joy Tree wish list available at www.casaoflexington.org/joytree.
