It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

Court Appointed Special AdvocateThe mission of CASA of Denton County, Inc. is to provide trained

community volunteers, to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children,and to promote community awareness about child abuse issues.

CASA - A POWERFUL VOICE IN A CHILD’S LIFE

Executive Director’s MessageI have been blessed each day for almost 12 years to call CASA my “work home.” As I think about all that has happened during that time - the growth of our program, the changing of staff, the addition of new and incredible volunteers, the dedication of our board of directors and the commitment of our supporters, I am in awe of the tremendous effort it takes to serve our CASA children and even more in awe of how that effort always seems to happen. No matter how big a hurdle may be, when it comes to our CASA children, we manage to always make it over the hurdle. I say “we” because it takes all of you to make our system work for children – it takes volunteer child advocates, board members, advisory council members, donors, event volunteers, community service volunteers, staff, CPS workers, attorneys, DA’s office staff, judges – it takes organizations willing to hear our message, church congregations willing to share their resources, individuals willing to share their expertise and talents – and it takes more. We have a saying around the CASA office, “be careful what you ask for as you just might get it.” And that happens so often. We put things in our newsletter wish list and on our website wish list and the items our children need or the items we need in order to better serve our children magically appear. We casually mention that our camera died or our scanner is outdated and the next thing you know, new equipment appears. I am always amazed at the sincere generosity of you and our community and never get tired of saying “thank you.” Please know that no matter which category you claim to be a member of as listed above, you are all so very important, so vital to CASA accomplishing our mission.

Thank you, each of you, for your contributions. Sherri Gideon

Volunteering is Second Nature Norma Johnson wears many hats and one of them proudly displays the CASA name! A former board member and a long-time supporter, Norma has been a dear friend to CASA since soon after the agency organized and began serving children. Involved in real estate for several years, Norma has been active in the Denton community just as long. In a recent conversation with Norma, she shared that although she is technically “retired,”

she believes that financially supporting and volunteering her time for worthwhile causes is not only important but second nature. Giving back to a community, and especially those less fortunate, is important to Norma as she feels she has been very blessed in her life and really wants to give others the same chance at a wholesome, healthy and productive future. One of the hats Norma wears is for Denton County Friends of the Family. An integral part of founding the agency and the thrift store in the 70’s, Norma has remained active with this organization throughout the years as a volunteer, supporter and advocate for women who have been victimized by family violence or sexual assault. Norma has served on the board and advisory council, chaired fund raising events and assisted with programs in their infancy.

Another hat Norma wears in our community is for CASA of Denton County. Understanding the dynamics of abuse through her work at Friends of the Family, Norma became involved with CASA in the agency’s early years of existence and continues to help CASA light the way for children in need. Norma has served on the board of directors, helped with fund raising events, financially supported the operating budget, and helps to advocate for the agency’s most urgent needs in the community. A lesser known hat that Norma Johnson wears is President of the Johnson Family Foundation. Developed many years ago as part of their financial portfolio, Bud, Norma, Jeff and Cindy Johnson invested in the Johnson Family Foundation as a way to give back to the community perpetually. The Foundation invites organizations to apply for support on an annual basis and gives to those that are deemed most in line with the foundation’s giving interests and the community’s most urgent needs. They have supported CASA with an annual contribution since 2000 and because of their generous support, continue to be a guiding force in ensuring that the agency is able to serve children in need. Norma does wear many other hats, too many to mention, and keeps very busy in her retirement. If you have an opportunity to meet this incredible woman – you should do so! You will be wowed by her delightful personality and gentle spirit and moved by her grace and generosity. With supporters such as Norma Johnson and the Johnson Family Foundation on CASA’s team, the organization is sure to keep the doors open and the services to our community’s most vulnerable children in full force.

You will be wowed by herdelightful personality and gentle spirit

and moved by hergrace and generosity.

SUMMER/FALL 2011

Welcome Graduatesof Summer

Advocacy AcademyCASA graduated a record number of individuals in July with 18 new child advocates, 1 new staff member and 1

college intern. Pictured with the Honorable Judge Steve Burgess, seated from left to right – Jessica Kelling, Tammy Bradley,

Julie Reiff, Allison Havard, Dena Rushing; standing from left to right – Linda Miller,

Martha Tadlock, Mary Ann Burns, Andra Carson, Karen Jordan, Charlotte Keith, Kimberly Muench, Trish Cairo,

Shomona Lofland, Sara Hinojosa, Lauren Wedgeworth, Rachael Macomber, Kyle

Jones, Elizabeth Womack, Madison Barr.

BoArD of DIreCtorSDixie Berry

Jean Campbell, emeritusray Croff

Debby GrigsbyDana Haynie

Shelly KruegerSteve Kuzmich

Jeffery Lawrence, treasurerBob Mancino, Vice President

Janie McLeodJoe MitchellLinda ratliff

Kay Schroeder, SecretaryCarrell Ann SimmonsGreg Studer, President

ADVISory CouNCILJudy Grimes

russell KerbowBrenda LathamDenise robertsMichael ryan

CASA StAffLauren Barker, Development Associate

Cheri fry, Casework SupervisorSherri Gideon, executive Director

Sara Hinojosa, training Coordinator/Casework Supervisor

Kristen James, Casework SupervisorDebbie Martin, office Manager

Betty Moran, Casework SupervisorSandi Moresco, Casework Supervisor

Lori Powell, Casework SupervisorMelissa ryan, Program Director

theresa White, Casework Supervisor

Major FunDing SourcES•CityofCarrollton•CityofDenton•CityofHighlandVillage•CityofLewisville•Cloud9Charities•DentonBenefitLeague•DentonCounty•HighlandVillageRotaryClub

• J.NewtonRayzorFoundation

• JohnsonFamilyFoundation• TheMeadowsFoundation•OfficeoftheAttorney

General•RotaryofFlowerMound•SDCNeighbortoNeighbor• TexasCASA,Inc.• TownofFlowerMound•UnitedWayofDenton

County,Inc.•UnitedWayof

MetropolitanDallas•VictimofCrimeAct

caSa iS plEaSED to havE rEcEivED giFtS in honor oF…•BobCollier From Jerry and Debbie

Martin• LindaRatliff From First State Bank•Ernest&Katheryne Worleyupontheoccasionoftheirmarriage

From Jean Schaake

caSa iS plEaSED to havE rEcEivED giFtS in MEMory oF…•VeraEberhart From L. Dee and Sherry

Shipman• JohnHargrove From Joe Mitchell•RogersJohnson From Roscie Banks From Loretta Jaggers From Arquilla Shepherd•EmmaMcGregor From Charles and Barbara Lee•AltonThibodeaux From Roscie Banks From Loretta Jaggers From Arquilla Shepherd•MaryShepherdThibodeaux

From Roscie Banks From Loretta Jaggers From Arquilla Shepherd• LoreanaWalton From Roscie Banks From Loretta Jaggers From Arquilla Shepherd

DonationS to hElp MEEt caSa’S grEatESt nEEDS- (Monetary, In-Kind & through

Workplace Campaigns)CASA strives to remember all of those who have blessed us. Please notify us and forgive us if we failed to list your name and know that your generosity is truly appreciated. •AbbottLaboratoriesFund•ScottAlagood•AT&TEmployeeGivingCampaign

•BankofAmerica• LaurenBarker• JonathanBailey•ClaralynnBarnes• ForrestBeadle•GrantBergmann•DixieBerry• JoeBohac,Jr.• TerryBrockett•StanleyBugala•DanielBurds•SteveandAndreaCalloway

• JenniferCampbell• LeonandJeanCampbell•BeverleyCarlson•KennethCheney,II•NigelCook•DallasClaimsAssociation,Inc.

•RayDavid,Jr.•DentonHi-NoonLionsClub•DentonRegionalMedicalCenter

•MarkDobecka•EarlDobson• TomDonovan• JamesandBarbaraDotson•ChadElsey•ClaudElson•HowieEvans• FastSigns• LanceFenter• FirstSecurityBank• FirstStateBank•NancyFisher•BradFreeman• JeanFriedland•CheriFry•DavidFuller• LavonFulwiler•BarneyFutch

Gifts from the Heart: Heartfelt thanks to donors When you put faith, hope and love together, you can raise positive kids in a negative world.2

who made contributions to CASA between April 1 and July 10, 2011• JeremyFykes•GEUnitedWayCampaign• JonGandy•MichaelGanzer•SusanGehrlein•ZoeGibby•SherriGideon• JackGrassman•BrianGray• TomGray•ChadGreenway•KathyGrewing•ShermanGriffith• TerryGross• JimGuthrie•MelHaag• JudyHagar•RickHagen•HalliburtonGivingChoices•SidneyHam•TimHamm•VernHammett•RichardandJoneelHarris•DavidandDanaHaynie• JasonHaynie• JohnandSueHechinger• LoriHenderson• TravisHenderson•BrentHill• FredandVirginiaHodge•GeraldHoenig•StephenandMicheleHolmesandfamily

•MichaelHouse•GalenHoward• LongHuynh•StephenIngram• J.NewtonRayzorFoundation•MikeJacobs•EdJohnson•MichaelJohnson•KyleJones• LanceJones

•SharonJoven•PhilipJury•CarolynKacena•MikeKahley•MarkKawalek• JohnKelley•RussKerbow•SeanKilgore•KnightsofColumbus12553•StephenKolb•KrogerFoodStores•GaryKrueger•SteveKuzmich•GraceLamb•BrantLandry•MikeLane•AndrewLarson•BrendaLatham• JefferyLawrence•CharlesandBarbaraLee•VinceLeon•WillLewis• LewisvilleNoonRotaryClub•KyleLlano•FrankLyle• LisaLyon•BrianandStacyMahavier•MelissaMaldonado•DebbieMartin•Matt’sOutbackSteakhouse•RachelMays•MichaelandKimberlyMcCary•VanMcKnight• JeffMcLaughlin• JanieMcLeod•QuinnMeredith•ChrisMichael• ThomasandVickiMielke• JerryMiller•MarkMiller• TraciMiller• JoeMitchell•MomsClubofDentonNE

•MomsClubofFlowerMoundSE

• JoAnnMoody•MichaelandHeatherMoran• TomMorgan•DebbieMorris•ChrisNelson•NewLifeWorshipCenter•EveretteNewland•NolesEnterpricesLLC•PatriciaO’Brien•DavidO’Haugherty•ClintonPage•CandiPardue•AndrewPassons•AlexPayne•PamPedigo• JohnPelletier• JimPenton•AllanPerry•PfizerFoundationMatchingGifts

• JamesPollard•ChrisPolster• JohnPolster• LesPorter• JudyPurser•Ramey&KingInsurance• LindaRatliff•DarylReal•ReddyIce,PilotPiont•ChristiRedfearn•RonReeves•AlanRiney•DeniseRoberts•ChristiRogers•Rogers-O’BrienConstructionCompany

• JamesandMarcyRussell•St.MarkCatholicChurch•St.PhiliptheApostleCatholicChurch

•MarcSanders

• JeanSchaake• JamesandJoanSchaub•Mr.andMrs.RickySchertz•BobbyandCherylSchroeder•AlexandKaySchroeder• JerryandKathySeay• JeffreyShea•ArquillaShepherd• L.DeeandSherryShipman•StanSimmons•Mr.andMrs.BillSitzes• LarrySmith•Mr.andMrs.JerryStevens•WilliamStewart• JohnStorrie•SyscoFoodCorporation• TexasHealthPresbyterianHospital

• JaneThacker• TraciThompson•BobTieszen•WilliamTrantham•SteveTrent•VRCInvestigations•ScottandLoisVanderhoef• TeresaVangilder• IllyceVaughan•Wal-MartSupercenter#4240, HighlandVillage•ZacharyWeaks•WellsFargoCommunitySupportCampaign

•KennethWesson• JoelWhite•MikeWhite• TheresaWhite•WhiteFlyer•BarbaraWillcox•MarvinWilliams•BillyWilson•DonWomack• TylerWood

Ray Croff, CLU CHFC,Turtle Creek Financial Group

This is the second in our new series of educational briefs about planned gifts to charity. Remember, every planned gift provides benefits to our CASA kids but also to you and your

heirs. There are so many strategies that you can employ. It just depends on your situation and your needs and wishes. In the last newsletter, we explored the “Charitable Remainder Annuity” planned giving tool. A second tool are “bequests” to your favorite charity. Bequests are actually the most popular type of planned gift. A donor may retain assets during life and then leave a bequest to his/her charity of choice. As a donor, you can leave a specific item or a specific amount. It is very important to take care in identifying the exact item and the charity by legal name, city and state.

You may gift part of the residue of the estate (whatever is left after all other bequests, debts and taxes have been paid). Any type of securities such as your IRA, CD’s or your home may be left to charity as well.You may also leave your assets for a specific purpose but, keep in mind, your bequest may happen many years down the road and the needs of the charity may have changed or the purpose of the gift is no longer valid. Consider letting the board of directors of the charity select the most effective use of the bequest at the time it is gifted. For more information, feel free to call CASA or your financial advisor.

3A generous heart, kind speech, & a life of service & compassion are the things which renew humanity.

It was an absolutely beautiful day at the Dallas Gun Club on Thursday, June 17 as CASA held its 11th Annual Pulling for Kids Sporting Clay Tournament. This year’s event was record-breaking in every sense of the word, with nearly 80 volunteers, a total of 264 shooters, and just under $80,000 raised for CASA kids. The ‘high stakes’ gun raffle that has become a mainstay of the Pulling for Kids event also brought in a record amount, with more than $23,500 raised by the lovely raffle ticket sales girls from the Julie Freeman Modeling Agency. Wells Fargo and Syracuse Sausage provided a delicious hot dog lunch, and dinner was generously sponsored by Matt’s Outback Steakhouse in Denton and the Classic Café at Roanoke. The Pulling for Kids event is one of two signature fund raising events held by CASA of Denton County each year. In its 11 year history, Pulling for Kids has raised an incredible $450,000. These funds are a vital part of CASA’s annual budget. They allow our agency to provide ongoing training for new and current volunteers, resulting in more services for the abused and neglected children who are so desperately in need of assistance. Thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers, shooters, sponsors, and donors who participated in the 11th Annual Pulling for Kids Tournament. Your steadfast commitment to CASA and the children we serve is what helps make this event better and better each year!

Thanks to Sponsors:

Breaking All Records at theBreaking All Records at the4

Shooting special thanks to dear friend David Clark of Video Logic Productions who has generously donated his services each year to copy the Pulling for Kids Event DVD’s so that each participant, volunteer, sponsor and donor can enjoy a recap of the event in modern technology! A friend to CASA and a partner in our community, you should contact David the next time you have technical needs – he is awesome.

toP GuN SPoNSorS•CobaltCapitalPartners

HIGH VeLoCIty SPoNSorS•CornerstoneStaffing•DallasDigitalServicesL.L.C.•DentonRegionalMedicalCenter• InnovativeTransportationSolutions,Inc.•MillerFamily

MArKSMAN SPoNSorS•AcuteManagement,LP•APAC,Inc.•Humphrey&Associates,Inc.•KenHughesandAssociates,P.C.•KirkSecuritiesCorporation•KuzmichLawFirm• LocktonDunningBenefits•MedicalCenterofLewisville•NorthTexasShootersAssociation•NorthstarBankofTexas•SpeedwayClubatTexasMotorSpeedway• TarpleyTactical

MeDIA SPoNSorS•DentonRecord-Chronicle•StarCommunityNewspapers•StarliteSign

troPHy SPoNSor•KellerTrophy&Awards

fooD & BeVerAGe SPoNSorS•ClassicCaféatRoanoke•Matt’sOutbackSteakhouse,Denton•MillerBeer•SyracuseSausage• TechnologyResourceCenterof America(TRCA)•WellsFargo

Breaking All Records at theBreaking All Records at the 5

CASAisgratefulforthecontinuedsupportand friendship of CLOUD 9 CHARITIES.The6thAnnualArtGalaforCharityheldMay 7 was a tremendous success andwe have Kim Cloud, founder of Cloud 9Charities, and Paula Wagner, owner ofMarketing and Advertising Resources inFlowerMound to thank for the incrediblecoordination and implementation of thisremarkable event! Cloud 9, The GrottoRestaurantandKwikKarofFlowerMoundhosted the event, providing guests witha fun evening not soon to be forgotten.Several local artists were on hand withtheirauctionpiecesandmanymorepiecestosell–makingthiseventatrueart-loversextravaganza!When the eventwas over,Cloud9CharitiespresentedCASAandtheChildren’sAdvocacyCenterwithgenerousdonations to help meet the most urgentneedsofbothagencies.

Children served byCASAwereblessedthis Easter seasonwith baskets thanksto the generosity oftwo groups in ourlocal communities.GIRL SCOUT TROOPS 802 and 8872 inDOUBLEOAKputtogetherbasketsfortheirCASA friends in need and the 5-7 yearoldYouthGroupoftheNewLifeWorshipCenterinPilotPointalsodonatedbaskets.Specialthankstothemembersofthesetwogroupswho,together,helpedmakehappymemories for CASA children during the2011Easterweekend!

HatsofftoourdearfriendsinSOUTHERNDENTON COUNTY NEIGHBOR TONEIGHBOR for another successfulcampaign season! Even during a difficulteconomythisgroupofdedicatedpillarsinourcommunityraisedfundslocallyandonJune9,madegenerousdonationstoseveralagenciesincludingCASA.Thisyear,CASAreceivedover$6,000fromtheirhardworkbringing the four year total of giving tomore than $27,000! CASA simply couldnotbeservingourcommunity’schildreninneedwithout the supportof thisgenerousorganization.

Back to Schooltimewill be a funtime for many ofourCASAchildrenthanks to thegenerosity of theChildren’sSummerBibleSchoolClassat Saint Mark

CatholicChurchinDenton.Theclassmade30handmadebackpacksthatcanbefilledwith school supplies fora funfirst day inAugust!ManythankstoourfriendsatSaintMark!

TheRotaryClubofFlowerMoundtrulylivesbytheirmottoof“serviceaboveself.”Eachyear,membersofthislocalclubworkhardto raise funds in the community and thengivebacktootherorganizationswhoserveour community’s citizens. CASA againbenefited from their thoughtfulness witha $1,000 gift this year that will directlybenefit thechildrenCASAserves!Sincerethanks toallmembers of theRotaryClubof Flower Mound for the many blessingsyour members and club provide to ourcommunity.

Kudos Corner Heartfelt thanks this quarter to LoriHenderson, owner of Concept2Creation.Lori has “adopted” a few projects forCASAincludingourdirectmailsolicitationmaterials and the transition into our 20thAnniversaryCelebration in 2012.HelpingCASAtellourstory inaprofessionalway,Lori isproviding invaluable support toourCASA marketing and fund raising team.Check out Lori’swebsite at C2Ctx.com formoreinformationonher terrificservices tothecommunity.

CASA extends special thanks this quarterto Denton Regional Medical Center forprovidingmealsfortheSummer2011ClassofAdvocacyAcademy.Yoursupporthelpsus save dollars on overhead that can beusedtodirectlybenefitchildreninneed!

We are honored on a regular basis tohavemanyCASAfriendswhosupport theagency with in-kind donations. We hopeyouwillshareyourbusinesswiththosewhodobusiness forCASA-Eagle&Wheeler,EagletonPhotography,RuthBeard,McNattPropertiesandTRTCommunications.Thesefolks saveCASAa tremendous amount ofoperating funds each year so that moremoneycanbeutilizedfordirectservicestochildren!

CASA is fortunate to have the support ofbusinesses,churchesandspecialcampaigns.We have participated in booths, specialpresentations, and other opportunities tohelpusraiseawarenessofourmissionandseek volunteers to assist in our endeavors.In this past quarterCASAhas shared ourmission with the City of Lewisville CDBGAdvisoryCommittee,theUniversityofNorthTexasTitle4EClass,aclassatGuyerHighSchool, theDentonCountyCommissioner’sCourtand theDentonCityCouncil, theSt.Philip’sWomen’s Club, the FlowerMoundRotaryClubandtheKrumKiwanisClub.

CASAisgratefulforthemanydonationswereceive indirectly through Denton Countyjurors, throughUnitedWayand stateandfederal employee workplace campaigns,and through matching gift funds throughindividualemployers.YourdesignatedgiftstoCASAaretrulyablessingtothechildrenandfamiliesweserveandwethankyouforkeepingtheneedsofthesechildreninyourhearts.

6 There isn’t a person anywhere who isn’t capable of doing more than he thinks he can. – Henry Ford

Gifts from the Heart: Heartfelt thanks to donors You may only be someone in the world, but to someone else, you may be the world. 7

Save the Datefor the

9th AnnualCloud 9 CharitiesNew York StyleFashion Show

Save the Datefor the

9th AnnualCloud 9 CharitiesNew York StyleFashion ShowSAturdAy,

November 12, 2011CASA is blessed to be

one of the beneficiaries ofthis event again for 2011.

We are seeking sponsorships and auction item donations

for the event.

For more information,contact Lauren barker at

940.243.2272.

Jacob was 4 years old when he came into foster care following a referral alleging neglect by his mother. She had previous CPS involvement and another child removed from her care permanently. Jacob’s mother repeatedly left him in the care of his elderly grandmother

who had suffered a stroke and was wheelchair bound. Although she did the best she could, Jacob’s grandmother was unable to care for him and called CPS. Jacob’s mother had a long history of drug use and of neglecting her parental responsibilities. She basically chose drugs over being a parent. The home she was living in at the time of Jacob’s removal had no running water or electricity. Jacob was a precocious and very intelligent 4 year old little boy. And, even though he suffered neglect, Jacob’s vocabulary was well beyond his years. He appeared to remember anything he saw and heard and introduced

himself and shook the hand of those he met. And, Jacob talked, and talked and talked! Jacob seemed very bonded to his mother and was confident that she would return for him. Unfortunately, she failed to take advantage of her visitation opportunities with Jacob. She would call to confirm attendance at visits and then not show up to see her son. She literally disappeared and no one could find her. Jacob was assigned a CASA volunteer child advocate. She made a choice to help protect children whose homes were not a safe place to be. Shortly after Jacob came into care, his CASA advocate learned that after a 15 minute appointment with a psychiatrist, the child was prescribed two powerful psychotropic drugs. There is a very high percentage of children in foster care who are prescribed psychotropic drugs, compared to children in the general

population. The CASA advocate was very alarmed and jumped into action, contacting Jacob’s caseworker and the attorney ad litem to discuss her concerns. Jacob’s CASA insisted on a second, more thorough opinion to determine if it was necessary and appropriate for Jacob to be prescribed this medication. She closely monitored his emotional needs throughout the case and continued to be the one, consistent person looking out for his needs – all of his needs. Today, Jacob has been adopted into a stable, safe and loving home. His parents chose him! The role CASA played in his life and in helping move him to permanency were things we do for our own children every day because it’s the right thing to do; things CASA advocates do for our community’s children because they make the choice to bless our community’s most vulnerable children.

Making Choices

LOVE TO LIVE • LIVE TO LOVE • GIVE TO LIVE • LIVE TO GIVE • LOVE TO GIVE • GIVE TO LOVE

CASA of Denton County, Inc.614NorthBellAvenueDenton,Texas76209Phone:940.243.2272Fax:940.243.1605

Website:www.casadenton.orgEmail:info@casadenton.org

CASAofDentonCountyisamemberagencyofTexasCASA,Inc.,the

NationalCASAAssociation,andtheUnitedWaysofDentonCountyand

MetropolitanDallas.

IfyoureceivetwoCASAnewsletters,pleasegiveonetoafriendandnotifyCASAat940.243.2272orinfo@casadenton.org.Thanks!

Court Appointed Special Advocatesfor Children

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

You can help us meet needs that are not included in the agency’s budget. As a small nonprofit agency, with limited resources, we depend on the generosity of our friends to help meet needs and cash donations are not the only way to become a CASA benefactor. The less funding CASA spends on operating costs, the more the children benefit. To donate, call 940.243.2272.

•SpeakingOpportunities

Wishful ThinkingWishful ThinkingNeeDS for tHe CHILDreN

•Hugs! •WebCams•Toysforinfants

•GiftCardstoWal-Mart

•GiftCardstoTarget

•DigitalCameras •20lb.WhiteCopyPaper

• Gift Cards toOfficeMaxBestBuy Staples

NeeDS for tHe offICe

OfficeDepot