Yesterday at the Juvenile Court House, I was sworn in as a CASA Volunteer.  This was done after going thru a training program and a background check.  To learn more about CASA  you can go to www.casaforchildren.org.  CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates.  This program is in need of volunteers and if you have the time and the inclination to be a voice for children you should check into it.

Nobody longs for a safe and loving family more than a child in foster care. As a CASA volunteer, you are empowered by the courts to help make this dream a reality. You will be the one consistent adult in these children’s lives, vigilantly fighting for and protecting their fundamental right to be treated with the dignity and respect every child deserves. You will not only bring positive change to the lives of these vulnerable children, but also their children and generations to come. And in doing so, you will enrich your life as well.

CASA volunteers listen first. Then they act. Volunteers get to know the child by talking with everyone in that child's life; parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers and others. They use the information they gather to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent home for them.

You do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to be a volunteer. CASA welcomes people from all walks of life. We are simply looking for people who care about children and have common sense. As a volunteer, you will be thoroughly trained and well supported by professional staff to help you through each case. You must pass a background check, participate in a 30-hour pre-service training course and agree to stay with a case until it is closed (a year and a half on average.

Along with others from my church we have hosted the supplies for Channel 3 A+ Program.  This is a program of distributing school supplies for children who need them.  The supplies are donated by businesses around town and then school counselors turn in the request to us for the children that need them.  During the month of August we have packed over 1000 bags of supplies which included, paper, pencils, pens, backpacks, erasers, spiral notebooks, binders, pencil bags, note cards, manila paper and construction paper, etc.  These were then picked up by each school for the children who were in need of them.  Many of us spent entire days from about 8:30 am to 4:30 pm packing these supplies.  It was a rewarding experience to hear from the teachers and counselors how badly these were needed and how they appreciated our efforts.

Along with the good things that have been happening there was a sad occasion when our brother in Christ, Carl Wells, passed away.  He passed away on Sunday and burial was Monday.  He had recently had surgery on his heart and apparently a couple of strokes while in the surgery and was just not able to recover.  God chose to take him home and he will be sorely missed at Southern Hills.  We continue to pray for his wife Ann, that she will be strengthened and know we love and care for her.  We were also saddened for our friend Bev Ford who often attends services with her friend Barbara Jobe in the loss of her husband who passed away quite suddenly.  Our prayers continue for Bev also.

School has been cancelled for today and Friday because of tropical storm/hurricane Issac.  I know the children are excited because this means a 5 day holiday from school with Monday being a holiday.  I do feel for the parents who just got them off to school and thought they could breathe a sigh of relief to suddenly have them home this soon after the start.  Parents remember this..."This too shall pass away."

We will begin our drive to collect food for the pantry again now that September is upon us.  Thanksgiving and Christmas will follow soon and people will be in special need of food for these holidays.  We have been sharing food from our pantry all year with a couple of boxes being given out every week, but the big drive begins now so anyone who can please bring items for the pantry or if you are unable to get out and shop if you donate money we will buy the items for you and put them in the pantry in your name.

Thanks for all the support I get from all of you.  Thanks for reading this blog and please keep me in your prayers, for health and ability to be of service to others.  I always need your prayers.