Fayette County community members kicked off the holiday season Nov. 12 by pledging to purchase gifts for 213 abused or neglected Fayette County children.
The 24th annual Fayette County CASA Joy Tree lighting was held at McBrayer Law Firm, which has hosted it every year since it began.
“This is one of the best causes and really most fruitful causes,” said Jaron Blandford, McBrayer Managing Member. “You truly can make a difference. We are proud to have been a part of it for so many years.”
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 asked those in attendance to think about all the traditions around the end-of-year holidays that they love.
“Unfortunately, for many of our children, they have been removed from the homes they know,” she said. “Maybe that food they’re used to eating is no longer served. Or maybe they’re being moved from one foster home to another.”
The CASA Joy Tree is one way regular community members and give these children back one of their favorite holiday traditions, Jamison said.
There are likely around 2,000 Fayette children with open cases due to abuse or neglect right now, Jamison said.
“That’s a huge number, but it’s not just a number,” she said. “It’s actual children.”
CASA volunteers served 434 Fayette County children last year, only about 20 percent of the children in the system. Jamison said beyond buying gifts for CASA children, community members can help by signing up to be CASA volunteers so more children can be helped.
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.
Lexington Vice Mayor Dan Wu, who has served as a CASA volunteer, attended the event and said Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is committed to funding CASA of Lexington and helping abused and neglected children.
He also promoted the Dec. 5 Pickleball for CASA Tournament and the Feb. 26 Bourbon & the Bayou gala as great ways for community members to participate and support the CASA mission.
All the names on the Fayette 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.
For more information about Pickleball for CASA or Bourbon & the Bayou, visit www.casaoflexington.org.
