December 5, 2006-Times Record News Article "CASA Holiday Cards for Sale"
"Young artists with a heart for giving recently put their talents together to help Child Advocates. Friday night, their work was honored with a gallery exhibit at the Kemp Center for the Arts. All were winners in the children's aid organization's recent art contest.

For the past several years, the local Child Advocates office's Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program has sold Christmas cards to fund its activities. CASA provides trained advocates to represent the interests of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect in the family court system.

Earlier this year, CASA sponsored a competition for students from kindergarten through eighth grade at Fain Elementary and Barwise Junior High Schools. More than 100 children participated in the contest, sponsored by Wal-Mart 420.

First-, second- and third-place winners were chosen from each of six categories: "Snowman," "Christmas Tree," "Spirit of Giving," "Family," "Cultural Expressions" and "Winter Fun."

The work of the first place winners was used for the holiday cards. First-place winners were Kale Lewis, 8; Madeline King, 8; Jacob Hoffman, 9, and Samantha Nichols, 9, all from Fain Elementary. Winners from Barwise Junior High were Jamie Ing, 13, and Gina Zhang, 12.

"These young people have produced some beautiful, inspiring work," said Emily Streeton, CASA interim program director. "The cards are really heartwarming and send a special message to everyone who receives them."

Holiday card sales are already under way. Each package of 10 cards and envelopes sells for $8. To see the card designs or place an order, go to www.casawf.org/cards or call (940)766-0552."

By Judith K. McGinnis/Times Record News
December 5, 2006