Now in its sixth year, the 12 Days of Giving fundraising campaign continues to support essential-services organizations: CASA of San Benito County, Chamberlain’s Children Center, Community Food Bank, and Emmaus House throughout the holiday season and beyond. For CASA, that means supporting the foster children from our community.
Since 2008, CASA has been hosting its annual Holiday Project which exists to help fill a gap and provide between 75 to 120+ foster children ages 0 – 21 with essential needs items such as winter coats, shoes, socks, and undergarments, as well as gifts such as books, games, toys or gift cards.
For CASA the 12 Days of Giving couldn’t come at a better time: monetary donations made to CASA through the 12 Days of Giving campaign are matched by generous partners and business sponsors, and are used to help supplement the Holiday Project, as well as throughout the year for the children’s birthdays, graduations, and additional needs.
“The funds raised through the 12 Days of Giving are extremely impactful,” shares CASA’s Executive Director Esther Curtice, “Through the generosity of our community, we are able to show the foster children we care, and haven’t forgotten about them during this special time of the year.”
Siblings Tasha* and Sam* have been served by CASA and recipients of the Holiday Project since 2012, when they were brought into foster care. “These kids had no one, and nothing. I can’t even begin to imagine how that feels,” shares Curtice.
Kate*, Tasha and Sam’s advocate, has been their primary source of stability since their first meeting. From attending school meetings and graduations, to picking up the phone in the middle of the night as a shoulder to cry on, Kate has been there every step of the way.
Curtice goes on to explain, “It really does take a village… and although we currently don’t have enough advocates to serve every foster child from San Benito County, the least we can do is ensure they all have gifts to open during the holidays”
CASA is making a difference in the lives of foster children, but we can’t do it without the continued generosity and support of the community. This year, the 12 Days of Giving Campaign kicks off on December 1st and concludes on December 12th. To learn more about the CASA Holiday Project and 12 Days of Giving please visit casasanbenito.org or contact 831-637-4992.
Matching funds for the 12 Days of Giving are made possible by our partner, United Way of San Benito County, campaign sponsors including Tiffany Motor Company, Brent Redmond Transportation, Community Foundation for San Benito County, Intero Foundation, Pierce Real Estate, Recology South County, RJR Environmental, Rotary Club of Hollister, Teknova, True Leaf Farms, Women’s Club of Hollister, and additional funds provided by City of Hollister Employees, Corbin, and Heritage Bank of Commerce. The 12 Days of Giving would also like to acknowledge BenitoLink and CMAP for their in-kind support.
*Names have been changed.