fbpx

CYP Kicks off April! Book and Toy Drive for Children in CASA Program 

April 1, 2013

Today’s guest blog post comes from SCAN’s Council of Young Professionals, an energetic group of 20- and 30-something-year-old volunteers getting ready to make a big impact in April for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Thanks to Meghan Tuttle and Angela Walter for contributing to this special post!

Blog1April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and, it goes without saying, is also a special time of year here at SCAN! The Council of Young Professionals put their creative juices to work last week decorating boxes for our new Book and Stuffed Animal Drive. SCAN’s CYP is hosting this drive throughout the month of April to provide books and stuffed animals for the children served by SCAN’s Alexandria/Arlington CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program.

The Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program provides trained volunteers appointed by the court to serve as a direct voice for children in the juvenile court system. Our hope is that the stuffed animals may provide some comfort to children who are involved in court proceedings as well as other difficult times throughout the process. Many times children served by the CASA Program have to wait for long periods of time in court for their individual proceedings to begin. The books will provide them with a good, constructive way to pass the time.

The most important thing about this drive is being able to provide a little comfort and entertainment to children in need. We all have old childhood books on our shelves that we can donate to this cause.  Nemo, giant zebras, and cuddly teddy bears can bring a smile to a child’s face when they need it most. Let’s celebrate this special month of awareness by bringing a little joy into the hearts of CASA children.

It’s just one way CYP is giving back during the month of April, and you can be a part of this effort too! Drop off a new book or stuffed animal at local businesses like Whole Foods in Alexandria and Los Toltecos restaurants in the area. More details regarding additional drop-box locations will be announced soon (be sure to follow SCAN on Facebook for updates!) – in the meantime, feel free to bring your donations to SCAN.

Thank you for your support! We’ll build hope for children one book and one stuffed animal at a time.

– Meghan and Angela, CYP Members