December 2, 2020 - The 50 Women Impact group made their final donation of 2020 to CASA of Deep East Texas. It was announced on November 20th after the votes had been cast and the total contributed to CASA rose to $10,400.
As COVID-19 has shut many fundraisers down, the 50 Women Impact has moved forward with its members communicating electronically. In the application submitted for CASA requesting the 4th quarter grant, Kim Griffin shared a letter about CASA of Deep East Texas. The Shelby County area has 23 families in crisis and 43 children in foster care. She and 15 other CASA volunteers in Shelby county serve those 43 children.
Kim's letter explained, "When I tell people that I work for CASA and they ask me what I do as a CASA, I normally tell people that the court appointed special advocate (CASA) serves as the voice for the children who’ve been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. I explain that the CASA serves as the eyes and ears of the court providing information and recommendations regarding what’s best for the child. I explain that the CASA is there to listen, to listen closely and to hear what may not be said. To hear what might be lost in the chaos of shattered lives. Most importantly to let these children know that they are heard."
Back in May when the COVID-19 pandemic still had so much shut down, the 50 Women Impact chose to take a one time action to divide the May 2020 funds given by its members equally between Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Timpson Food For Thought, and Community Christian Services in Joaquin. All these organizations provide food pantries for Shelby County communities. These food pantries have been and still are a great need. The total given was $12,000 which provided each food pantry with $4,000.
In August, the group once again voted electronically and chose to give the 3rd quarter grant to Shelby County Youth Soccer to help finish the new soccer complex. The total given was $10,500. Opening ceremonies at the new soccer complex was held on October 17.
During COVID-19 haunting of 2020, the 50 Women Impact has donated a total of $43,200! Since the group began in 2017, the group has donated a total of $131,800.
