Lincoln CASA Joy Tree program aims to provide gifts for 21 children in family court
Lincoln County community members will be providing 18 abused and neglected children with gifts this holiday season, following the CASA Joy Tree kickoff event at Jerome Flynn’s Edward Jones office on Friday.
Another three Lincoln County children still need generous people to step up and buy them gifts so they do not go without this Christmas.
"For many of the children we serve, they might not get to be with loved ones. They might not get to have that special tradition or food they are used to,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of Lincoln County’s CASA program. "Purchasing gifts for the children on this tree can be a game-changer for these kids."
The CASA Joy Tree has a new name this year, but it has been providing gifts to children in the local family court system for the past three years, helping brighten the holidays for 55 Lincoln County children so far.
Each participant receives the wish list of a child in the system who may not otherwise receive gifts this year. The participant shops for the child’s wishes, then brings the gifts back to the Edward Jones Office or the Lincoln County CASA office. Then, CASA volunteers bring the gifts to the families and caretakers of the children in time for their holiday celebrations.
Anyone wishing to participate in the program and help one of the remaining three Lincoln County children can email jbahr@casaoflexington.org to request the wish list of a child.
Flynn said he was glad to see the community come out and support a good cause.
"A community is only as strong as its kids,” he told those picking names from the tree. "Thank you for extending your blessings to others."
CASA volunteers are matched with abused and neglected children in the family court system. They visit the children monthly and advocate for what they need, especially if a need is being overlooked or forgotten.
Jamison said there are likely around 200 Lincoln County children with open family court cases right now. Last year, CASA volunteers served 20 of those children. More are being served this year, but many more still could benefit from having someone looking out for their best interests.
Anyone who would like to purchase supplemental gifts for the children on the CASA Joy Tree can purchase from a wish list of popular items available at www.casaoflexington.org/joytree. Supplemental gifts will be used to ensure no child receives too few gifts and that siblings receive comparable amounts of gifts.
