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Clubs -
Organizations
Santa for Christmas
By Mary A. Flowers
Over 25 years ago, a tradition was started by
the Waxahachie Mothers Club. To raise money for the
club, Santa would appear at private parties, church socials
and anywhere else Santa was needed to hand out gifts and
listen to children young and old tell him what they wanted
for Christmas. In addition to a fee for hiring Santa to
visit, the Mothers Club members would take pictures of
children sitting on Santa's lap for $5.00 each.
This year Santa will be at the Junior League Craft Show at
the Waxahachie Civic Center on December 1 from 10:00 am
until 5:00 pm and at J. C. Penney's on Saturdays, December
8th and 15th, from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm and on Sundays,
December 9 and 16th, from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm. The Mothers
Club has entered the 21st century this year by offering
photos with a digital camera and printer. Also, Santa will
be very pleased to have a newly decorated space at the craft
show. He will have a platform for his chair so he will be
more easily seen and a colorful painted backdrop will show
him off to the greatest advantage.
Through the years, the money raised by this project has
funded many contributions to the charitable activities the
Mothers Club believes in and supports. Among these have been
reference books for Sims Library and Waxahachie High School;
books for DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) Day at the
elementary school level; establishment of the Mothers Club
library at the Texas Baptist Home for Children; food for
Waxahachie CARE; games, books and flash cards for Big
Brothers and Sisters; school supplies for Oak Lawn
Multi-Cultural School; money and Christmas gifts for clients
of Common Ground Ministries; stuffed animals for Ellis
County Child Advocacy; money, stuffed animals and luncheons
for child advocacy workers at Gingerbread House;
over-the-counter medicines for HOPE Clinic; money to Meals
on Wheels; diapers and toddler clothing to Rainbow Room;
money for children's fire safety education to Waxahachie
Fire Department; diapers, money and baby toiletries to
Women's Resource Center; pillowcases to Head Start; and a
yearly $200 scholarship given to a Waxahachie High School
student in honor of Francis McGregor, a charter member of
the Mothers Club back in 1947.
It is very satisfying when a young mother bring her small
child up to one of Santa's Mothers Club helpers and tell her
that her mother brought her to see Santa when she was young.
Whenever Santa is out and about with Mothers Club helpers in
tow, look for the sign that says "Benefits the Waxahachie
Mothers Club" and know that the money made by the Mothers
Club is used for many worthwhile causes in the community.
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CASA of Ellis County fosters volunteers to
protect the best interests of abused and neglected children, and
advocate in the court system for family reunification or placement in
an environment that is safe, nurturing and permanent.
What is a CASA?
CASA stands for Court-Appointed Special Advocate. A CASA volunteer is
someone who speaks for the best interest of abused and neglected
children placed in protective care.
The Children we serve
Every year, the state of Texas removes thousands of children from
their homes because of abuse or neglect. These victimized children are
drawn into an overburdened child welfare system that is hard pressed
to address their individual concerns. Eventually, they end up in
court. CASA is a nonprofit agency that trains and supports volunteer
CASA guardians ad litem to work with these children as they journey
toward safe, loving, permanent homes. The CASA volunteer is frequently
the most consistent person in the child’s life during their
involvement with the court.
Child Victims in Ellis County
Each year the number of investigations of child abuse and neglect
increases in our county. In the past year, more than 120 children have
been removed from their parent’s care because it simply wasn’t safe
enough for them to stay at home. They are abused and neglected by the
people they trust and love most, their family
http://www.casaofelliscounty.org/
Annual CASA Appreciation Dinner
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