Because Every Child Deserves a Place to Play
Two local Nonprofits join efforts with community businesses to create a play space for a deserving family
Anna, TX -- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Collin County and Habitat for Humanity North Collin County have partnered with several local businesses, including Pate Rehabilitation and Home Depot (McKinney location), to help make the Christmas wish come true for a very special family. On Thursday, December 17, 2015 the completion of an outdoor play set will be revealed to this deserving family.
Tammy and Rickie have always loved children; when they learned that the mother of their biological grandson could no longer care for the child, they lovingly took him in. Although not related to the grandparents by blood, when their grandson’s three half-siblings came available for care, Tammy and Rickie agreed to care for them as well. They saw value in keeping the siblings together and made the decision to foster all four of the children, with plans to adopt them all.
Tammy drives a school bus and works a second job at a pizza restaurant where her disabled husband also works. The children are well cared for and thriving in this loving home. The children, all under the age of 5, had one wish for Christmas; they wanted a swing set so they could play outside.
CASA of Collin County Volunteer Advocate, Virginia, jumped into action. Virginia had been appointed to two of the children by a District Judge as Guardian ad litem. Knowing the sacrifice that Tammy and Rickie had made for these children, she wanted to help make their wish come true. When the staff at a local business, Pate Rehabilitation heard of the need, they agreed to donate the funds to purchase the swing set and Home Depot donated the supplies to build a fence to keep the children safe. Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity’s Brush With Kindness Program and the Hands-N’-Hammers group from First United Methodist Church in McKinney, are providing the labor. Over a dozen volunteers working to build a safe enclosed and play area for the children. Patients from Pate Rehabilitation are also lending a hand.
Tammy commented, “We are so thankful to everyone who made this possible and we know that the children will enjoy the swing set for a very long time. These children are a blessing in our life and we are so happy these siblings can grow up together.”
CASA of Collin County promotes and protects the best interests of children who have been abused or neglected by training volunteer advocates to improve the child’s quality of life and serves as their voice within the court system to ensure they are placed in a safe, permanent and loving home.