Students bring in $4,000

Local News

Discussion

March 21, 2009

BY ANNA HERKAMP The Commercial-News Sat Mar 21, 2009, 11:58 PM CDT

DANVILLE — A recent change drive showed the unconditional generosity of local youth.

Vermilion County schools participated in a “Change for Change” drive in February that brought in $4,000 — in change — in just a week.

“It was seriously amazing,” said Alayne Anderson, who retired last year as assistant principal of East Park Elementary School.

The kids gave their pennies, nickels and dimes for the cause because they’re aware of families that need support from programs like CASA, she said.

Anderson is now a board member for the local Court Appointed Special Advocates of Vermilion County.

“The kids really seemed to think it was an important thing,” she said.

Now, it’s the adults’ turn. CASA will host a fundraiser called “Casablanca” next weekend that gives grown-ups a chance to show the kind of support their kids did.

The survival of the program depends on the fundraiser and others like it, according to Executive Director Heather Fox.

The program plays an important role in ensuring that children don’t fall through the cracks of the court system. Advocates make sure that foster children have what they need to be healthy and productive, including doctor visits, counseling and ade-quate clothing.

As the economy worsens, the rates of child abuse go up, potentially leading to more of a need for the program.

Finances affect our ability to take care of our children, and when economic instability rises, so do the rates of abuse and neglect, Fox said.

The program has been funded with a seed money grant that paid for $80,000 from the summer of 2007 until this summer.

Anderson said the program is a unique one to be involved with.

“It’s kind of neat to be doing this,” she said.

“It’s a new organization, and they have to survive on grant money and donations. The state doesn’t fund the program at all … I think it’s really worthwhile; other states where their CASA funds are supported by state funding. It puts an extra burden on us.”

Next year’s $70,000 budget has $30,000 taken care of, but the rest is left to be raised.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Fox said.

Text Only

Local News

City rummage sale nears
May 28, 2012
Chase ends in crash
Hoopeston Police Department chased a 16-year-old driving through McFerren Park early Sunday, with the chase ending at the base of a tree.

May 28, 2012
Community Briefs
The Danville Lions Club will meet at noon Tuesday at the Days Hotel, 77 N. Gilbert. The topic: “Know Your Lions.”

May 28, 2012
Community Calendar
Memorial Day ceremonies at area sites — 8:30 a.m., Curtis G. Redden gravesite in Spring Hill Cemetery; 9 a.m., World War I monument; 9:30 a.m., Korean War Memorial on Hazel; 9:30 a.m., Maj. Kenneth Bailey gravesite in Spring Hill Cemetery; 9:30 a.m., Jewell Whyte family site in Spring Hill Cemetery; 9:30 a.m., at the lagoon at the VA for all service people lost at sea; 9:45 a.m., Women’s Memorial behind the Vermilion County War Museum; 10:45 a.m., all veterans’ groups gather at the Danville National Cemetery.

May 28, 2012
Tropical Storm Beryl strengthens, nears U.S. coast
Tropical Storm Beryl was wrecking some Memorial Day weekend plans on Sunday, causing shoreline campers to pack up and head inland and leading to the cancellation of some events as the storm approached the southeastern U.S.

May 27, 2012
CASA seeks volunteers
May 27, 2012
Classes transition online
May 27, 2012
Dad welcomes baby — while a world away
Like most fathers, Brandun Schweizer wanted to witness his first child’s birth. There was just one problem, however — he was thousands of miles away in Afghanistan.

May 27, 2012 2 Photos
Veterans ask people to pause
Although the Memorial Day weekend is a time for picnics and pool parties, veterans’ groups hope people pause to remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty, as well as others who have died.

May 27, 2012
Martha Stewart learns family’s roots
Television viewers have been treated to two series lately dealing with genealogy.

May 27, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Students bring in $4,000

Site Map

Contact Us