Jessamine County community members kicked off the holiday season Nov. 12 by pledging to purchase gifts for 19 abused or neglected Jessamine County children.
The fourth annual Jessamine County CASA Joy Tree lighting was held at Dan Cummins Ford Lincoln.
Joy Tree participants chose wish lists from the CASA Joy Tree of children in family court who need someone to buy them gifts this holiday season. The 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 the CASA Joy Tree gives community members an opportunity to bring joy and brighten the lives of children who may not be at home for the holidays and may not otherwise receive gifts.
There are likely more than 600 Jessamine County children with open cases due to abuse or neglect right now, Jamison said.
Last year, CASA volunteers served 52 children, meaning many more could benefit if more people volunteered.
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.
It takes around 5 to 10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer. You must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks and complete a training course in-person or online.
Josh Cummins, an owner of Dan Cummins Auto Group, said his business began hosting CASA Joy Tree events many years ago in Bourbon County, and it has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the nonprofit because of how important the mission is.
“We’ve made this part of the fabric of who we are as a company,” he said.
All the names on the Jessamine County Joy Tree have been taken, 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.
