Patels, CASA team up for giving
Published 12:02 am Wednesday, December 28, 2016
- Pictured, from left, at Walmart are CASA volunteer Melissa Malik, CASA supervisor Stacy Ashmore, Vimal C. Patel, Mina V. Patel, CAS volunteer Grace Duplantier, CAS Clinical Counselor Marcy Willet and Ivy Mathieu, CASA volunteer. (Photo submitted)
CASA children in St. John the Baptist Parish received Christmas gifts donated by local business owners Vimal C. Patel and Mina V. Patel.
The couple contacted Child Advocacy Services this month and asked how they could help provide toys to local children.
Through working with local CASA Supervisor Stacy Ashmore and Community Outreach Director Ginger Cangelosi, the husband and wife team paired with CASA volunteers to shop for the children.
Court Appointed Special Advocates are everyday citizens trained to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system.
They are appointed by a judge to represent the child’s best interests and help them reach a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.
“Providing gifts to kids will give them hope and supporting the foster parents that take care of them is a way we can plant seeds for a better life,” Mina Patel said.
For more information on how you can support the local CASA program in the area, visit childadv.net. For more information, contact the Director of Community Outreach Ginger Cangelosi at 1-800-798-1575.
