Treasure Hills Elementary students in partnership with Belinda Zapata, a local Farmers Insurance agent, raised $630 to benefit CASA of Cameron and Willacy Counties.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) is a non-profit organization that assists children going through the foster care system by providing trained community volunteers to be a voice for children within the courts.
“I want to thank all of these outstanding students and of course, the partnership with CASA,” said Superintendent Dr. Art Cavazos. “We continue to be a district that provides a quality education grounded on strong character. There is no better feeling in your heart than when you can give back. Our students may not see the faces of the kids that will benefit from their contribution, but I want them to know that their contribution will go a long way.”
On hand to receive the donation was CASA Executive Director Dora Martinez who commended the students for thinking about children in need.
Cerelia Diaz, a teacher at Treasure Hills, said that students had initially set a goal of $300 for their Valentine’s Day Photo Booth fundraiser, but they surpassed expectations by more than doubling that amount. Zapata and Diaz both serve on the CASA Board of Directors.
“I’m super proud of our kids. This is the first fundraiser for our Future Health Professionals Academy students. I’m super excited that they partnered up with Farmers who has been a big supporter of us this year and we really appreciate that,” said principal Roland Ingram. “What a great cause and organization to donate to. This is a great way to connect with the community and show these kids that it’s important to give to the community that supports your school.”
CASA is part of a national volunteer movement that began in 1977 when Judge David Soukup in Seattle decided he needed to know more about the children whose lives were in his hands. His solution was to ask community volunteers to act as a “voice in court” for abused and neglected children. These Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASAs) provided him with the detailed information he needed to safeguard the children’s best interests and ensure that they were placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.
Click here for information on how to become a CASA volunteer.
