(CASA & Children's Advocacy Center)
| Volunteer Banquet
Linda McKay of Westminster took home the top honor at the annual Volunteer Banquet hosted by the Fannin County Children’s Center. She was named the CASA Volunteer of the Year for her efforts advocating for six different children in foster care. “Linda has done an outstanding job,” said CASA Program Director Joyce McGehee as she presented the award. Volunteers, board members and staff with the Fannin County Children’s Center enjoyed a good meal and beautiful surroundings at Legacy Ridge Country Club in Bonham. Board President Valerie Tarpley welcomed those in attendance. She talked about the agency celebrating fifteen years of serving children and reviewed some of the organization’s accomplishments.  CASA volunteer advocates have advocated for more than one thousand children over the past fifteen years, said Tarpley. The Children’s Advocacy Center has opened more than seven hundred cases since the program started in 1999. The Christmas Drive has given presents of new toys and clothes to more than one thousand children since 1995 and the School Supply Drive has provided more than 3,000 Fannin County students with new school supplies since 1997. The Rainbow Room was started in 2004 and has already given more than 800 children more than $40,000 worth of new clothing, shoes, coats, diapers and other supplies. Also recognized were volunteers who have been with the agency for an extended period of time. Five year service pins were earned by Mel Dunham of Bonham and Jo Willess of Celeste. Three year service pins were earned by Deanie Dunham and Melody Burk of Bonham, Amber Simpson of Dodd City and Dianna Wild of Windom. When recognizing the individual CASA volunteers, McGehee noted that Marta Schreiber and Stephanie Wood would both earn their ten year pins in just two more years.
336th District Judge Lauri Blake praised the volunteers’ efforts. She expressed appreciation for their community service and dedication on behalf of children. Executive Director Sandy Barber talked about the volunteer’s contributions over the past year. CASA volunteers logged in 2,568 hours and drove more than 28,000 miles in their efforts to advocate for abused children in foster care. Volunteers contributed 144.75 hours for the Children’s Advocacy Center and 231.5 hours for the Rainbow Rooms. The Independent Sector currently values volunteer time at $19.51 per hour and federal mileage reimbursements rates are $.505 per mile, said Barber. Therefore, volunteers’ contribution to the center last year was estimated to be valued at $71,805.03. “Volunteers don’t get paid, but it’s not because they are worthless,” said Barber. “It’s because our volunteers are priceless. |
Fannin County Children's Center
112 West Fifth Street Bonham,TX 75418 USA
Phone: 903.583.4339 Fax: 903.583.3074
Email: info@fanninccc.org