Local South Bend businesses collect donations for CASA’s annual Holiday Toy Drive

SOUTH BEND – Court St. Joseph County Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program kicked off its annual CASA Holiday Toy Campaign.

Each year, the purpose of the Toy Drive is St. is to provide gifts to every child in foster care in St. Joseph County. There are currently close to 600 children in crisis.

In Indiana, CASA volunteers have full authority to advocate for children in all Child in Need of Services or “CHINS” cases, which are abuse and neglect cases.

They have full party status in child welfare cases; This means they have the right to attend hearings, submit information to the court, obtain relevant records, and make recommendations and requests to the court on behalf of the child.

Local businesses will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys, books, games, clothing and personal items through December 1.

Unacceptable items include DVDs, video games, weapon-like toys, or gifts with religious overtones.

Donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations:

■ Cat Lady Cafe: 401 E. Colfax Avenue, Suite 104

■ Cheveux Hair Salon: 1315 Mishawaka Blvd.

■ Endive Cafe: 105 E. Jefferson Boulevard.

■ Endive Cafe: 114 W. First St., Mishawaka

■ South Bend Children’s Museum: 2632 S. Michigan St.

■ General Deli and Cafe: 609 E. Jefferson Boulevard.

■ Growing Children Learning Centers: 2601 N. Bendix Drive

■ Growing Children Learning Centers: 17475 Indiana 23

■ Growing Children Learning Centers: 17850 Irish Road

■ Juvenile Justice Center: 1000 S. Michigan St.

■ OneRoof Southeast Neighborhood Center: 405 E. Dubail Cad.

■ PEGS: 127 S. Michigan St.

■ Pigeon and Chicken Pottery: 217 S. Michigan St.

■ Warehouse East: 625 E. Jefferson Boulevard, Suite C

For more information, call 574-233-CASA, visit: sjccasa.org or email [email protected].

This article first appeared in the South Bend Tribune: CASA’s local South Bend businesses collect toys for children in foster care