THE APEX TIMES
The community organization says the project is meant to connect local donors with children served through the courts, starting this week in Lexington.
CASA of Lexington on Thursday kicked off its annual holiday season “giving tree” program, displaying the names of children involved in the family court system who are seeking gifts during the current season. The effort ties the organization’s volunteer advocacy work to a community fundraising and gift-request drive meant to reach children and families who are navigating court involvement during the holidays.
WKYT reported that the tree’s limbs and boughs bear the names of more than 200 children. CASA officials said the list reflects children served through the family court process who are requesting support through gift donations, as the program expands its match of children’s needs with community members willing to help.
The program’s start in Lexington comes as many nonprofit groups prepare for peak holiday engagement and gift distribution timelines. CASA of Lexington’s announcement emphasizes that the giving tree is designed to ensure requests from children connected to the family court system are visible and can be acted on by donors in the community.
CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, places trained volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children in court proceedings. In this season’s program, the giving tree functions as an intake-and-match mechanism, translating child requests into specific items intended to be provided by donors.
The organization’s announcement does not change the court process itself, according to the framing of the report. Instead, the giving tree targets an aspect of the holiday season that can affect children’s experiences and routines, particularly when families are under stress due to ongoing legal matters.
Donors who participate typically select an item or child request from the tree and coordinate drop-off or delivery instructions directly with the organization, but the timing and specific logistics were not detailed in the report shared by WKYT. CASA of Lexington’s next steps, including how gifts are collected and when they are distributed, are expected to follow the program’s launch.
For families connected to the family court system, the program’s practical effect is aimed at providing children with gifts during the holiday season, with CASA volunteers continuing their role in the court process.
As the giving tree program moves into its donation period, CASA of Lexington will likely focus on completing the match between requests and donors before distribution deadlines, so that holiday gifts are delivered on time for the children listed on the tree.
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