Coat drive, toy roundup aimed at helping foster kids

Coat drive, toy roundup aimed at helping foster kids

CASA teaming up with community to grant holiday wishes

ralphhardin@gmail.com The West Memphis/Marion Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is partnering with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the Arkansas Delta to ensure the children in their care have a magical Christmas with the “Koats by Kappas” coat drive.

Donate your new or gently used coats at the Marion Police Department, or contact John Evans, Community Events Chairman, at (901) 409-6541 for more information or to arrange a donation.

CASA is also back at it granting Christmas wishes for children in the advocacy group’s program, with the return of Operation Santa Storm.

“A child doesn’t stop believing in Santa Claus or Christmas when they are removed from the custody of their parents,” says CASA Program Coordina- tor Jeannetta Gilliam. “If anything, that is the time of year children become filled with the great hope that they won’t be forgotten during the holiday season.” It is in that spirit of making sure that no child in the Crittenden County foster care system is forgotten this Christmas that CASA bringing back Operation Santa Storm for the fifth year.

“We want to make it our biggest one yet,” said Gilliam.

The goal of Operation Santa Storm is to fulfill holiday wish lists and host a Christmas party for the children in the county’s foster care system. “These are children aged from birth to 18 years,” said Gilliam. “They have the same wants and needs as every other child. A child in foster care might sit next to your own child or grandchild in class or play with them in daycare. We want to help them have something exciting to talk about when they return from Christmas break.” Currently, CASA volunteers are in the process of helping each child make out their Christmas lists. Once those lists are made, they will begin trying to make those wish lists come true.

“That’s where you, the community, come in,” said Rutledge. “These children are counting on you. Please help us to make their season a little brighter by adopting a wish list, donating stocking-stuffers, or making monetary donation to assist with the cost of the Christmas Party.” CASA hopes to grant Christmas wishes for each child currently in the local foster care system. For more information, call (870) 7025950, or visit the CASA of the Arkansas Delta Facebook

page.

By Ralph Hardin