[Backstory: Each holiday season, Dallas CASA’s amazing friends and supporters take wish lists from the children we serve and fulfill those wish lists, making sure every child has holiday gifts. But some of our supporters want to do more.
This fall, Kelly and Matt offered to take on an entire family. We connected them with Robin S., an advocate who’s been serving four young girls in foster care. The girls were removed from home after Child Protective Services received a report their mother was using methamphetamines and could not care for them properly.
Over the past the year, the girls’ mother completed extensive drug treatment, counseling and every other service CPS requested of her. She visited with her girls every week at CPS offices, got a job and secured an apartment. She tested clean on every drug test administered since her girls were removed.
She and her girls were reunited earlier this fall, though CPS initially remained involved to ensure the girls’ safety. The girls continued in counseling, writing their mother letters about how her drug use had affected them and how happy they were to be reunited. Money was tight, but there was love in abundance.
The girls’ holiday wish lists included a Baby Alive doll, soccer balls and basketballs and clothing. They also asked for twin bedding for each of their four beds, and their mother asked for pots and pans and a vacuum cleaner. Robin delivered the family’s gifts while the girls were at school so their mother could set some aside for Christmas morning. Robin wrote the following heartfelt thank you note to Kelly and Matt describing what delivering the gifts was like.]
From Dallas CASA volunteer Robin,
Hi! My name is Robin, and I have been working as a CASA advocate with the family you bought gifts for (four girls and their mom). I went to their apartment this morning to deliver the gifts while the girls were at school. Their mom was so shocked by and grateful for your generosity.
She is committed to providing the girls with a comfortable, cozy home and the bedding will look and feel great. Also, she had been sweeping the carpeted rooms with a broom to clean them, so she is overjoyed to have a vacuum.
All of the gifts you selected will be so appreciated by all five of them. Once we got everything upstairs she started to cry, and then I started to cry to see her so happy and thankful. It’s not just the items you’ve provided for them; what is also so powerful and moving is the knowledge that some complete strangers heard about their situation and their needs and so kindly offered support.
Thanks again, and I hope you have a very happy holiday season!
Robin S.