Feb. 23, 2009 — A group that works to help abused and neglected children is asking people to dig a little deeper to help meet its fundraising goal.
"It is going to be a tight year for all of us," said Gail Shearer, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). "We are just asking for people to give whatever they can. We really appreciate any amount donated. We even have people who lug in big soda-cracker cans of pennies. We get a kick out of the stories people tell of where the pennies come from."
CASA is pleading for pennies to meet the goal set for the annual "Pennies From Heaven" coin drive, which ends March 7. CASA is about $6,000 short of its goal of $25,000, a goal that Hovensa has pledged to match penny for penny.
Since 2003, CASA has met its goal with the help from community members of all ages, with even school children giving the pennies they have in their pockets. Even with the economy in trouble, Shearer said, the giving this year is about the same as last year at this time.
People aren't in an entirely giving mood, but they still want to give any amount they can to help take care of children, Shearer said.
"With the economy the way it is, and more stress, there will be more abuse," she said.
CASA works with children who have been abused and/or neglected and temporarily been removed from their family and placed in foster care while the court determines their future. The funds are used to support CASA programs. CASA trains staff and volunteers to be advocates for the children throughout the court process and their stay in foster care. CASA currently serves 44 children and has served St. Croix children since 1993.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7, CASA representatives will be at Sunny Isles to collect donations. Starting at 11:30 a.m. there will be face painting, storytelling and kid-friendly music. For those who don't want to deal with Sunny Isles traffic, CASA will be at Gallows Bay Hardware collecting donations.
The Pennies From Heaven jars are located at FirstBank and Scotia Bank branches island wide, Food Town, Turtles Deli, Golden Rock Pharmacy, Pastry Hut and 20 public and private schools.
To donate online with a credit card, go to casavi.org. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at 3012 Golden Rock, which is in the old Vitraco Mall on St. Croix across the street from the federal district court. For more information or to make a donation with a credit card, call 719-2272.
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