CASA Holiday Toy Drive seeks to provide gifts for children in foster care

Andrew S. Hughes, South Bend Tribune
·2 min read

SOUTH BEND — The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program of St. Joseph County seeks donations to its annual CASA Holiday Toy Drive.

Each year the Toy Drive’s goal is to provide gifts to every child in foster care throughout St. Joseph County.

There are currently close to 500 children in crisis in the county.

Volunteers needed: St. Joseph County's CASA program seeks advocates for kids

The CASA Program will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys, books, games, clothes, personal items and even luggage.

Items that cannot be accepted are DVDs, video games, toys that simulate weapons or gifts with religious overtones.

Donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations through Dec. 1:

• Juvenile Justice Center: 1000 S. Michigan St., South Bend

• Brain Lair Bookstore: 714 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend

• Cat Lady Café: 401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 104, South Bend

• Cheveux Salon: 1315 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend

• Chicory Café: 105 E. Jefferson Blvd, South Bend

• Chicory Café: 114 W. First St., Mishawaka

• The Children's Museum of South Bend: 2632 S. Michigan St., South Bend

• C. Kramer Interiors: 1229 E. University Drive, Granger

• The General Deli & Café: 609 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend

• Growing Kids Learning Centers: 2601 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend

• Growing Kids Learning Centers: 17475 Indiana 23, South Bend

• Growing Kids Learning Centers: 17850 Ireland Road, South Bend

• PEGGS: 127 S. Michigan St., South Bend

• The Pigeon and The Hen Pottery: 217 S. Michigan St., South Bend

• Sorella Boutique: 7220 Heritage Square Drive., No. 510, Granger

In Indiana, CASA volunteers are fully empowered to advocate for children in abuse and neglect cases.

They have full–party status in child welfare cases, which means they have the right to attend hearings, present information to the court, obtain relevant records, and make recommendations and requests to the court on behalf of the child.

For more information, call 574-233-CASA, visit sjccasa.org or email casa@jjconline.org.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: CASA Holiday Toy Drive seeks gifts for children in foster care