JoAnne and Gary Duncan of Trenton took home the top honor at the annual Volunteer Banquet hosted by the Fannin County Children’s Center. They were named CASA Volunteers of the Year for their efforts advocating for two brothers in foster care.
CASA Program Director Joyce McGehee described the efforts of the couple as she presented the award. JoAnne accepted a case soon after she completed training five years ago. She has been the advocate for two brothers during their entire time in foster care. About two years ago she recruited her husband to join her in this effort. For awhile, the brothers were in different foster homes, more than one hundred miles apart. Due to staffing issues, CPS rarely could get the boys together for a visit. The Duncan’s would each drive in different directions to pick up the boys and get them together for visits. Last December, the boys were adopted together.
When accepting the award, both of the Duncan’s were emotional. JoAnne remarked that after retiring from a career in education, she was not sure how she was going to handle not having any kids to work with. Becoming a CASA volunteer helped fill that void.
Also recognized were volunteers who have been with the agency for an extended period of time. Five year service pins were earned by Charlene Dalton of Bonham and JoAnne Duncan of Trenton. Three year service pins were given to Diann Proctor of Dodd City, Sandy Brown of Ivanhoe and Robert Hood of Bailey. McGehee noted that next year Marta Schreiber and Stephanie Wood would each earn their ten year pins.
336th District Judge Lauri Blake spoke at the banquet and praised the volunteers’ efforts. Grayson County CASA Executive Director Jana Garner surprised Blake with the “Friend of CASA” Award. Garner praised Blake efforts and expressed disappointment that she is leaving Grayson County due to the change in judicial districts. Blake also received an award of appreciation from the Fannin County Children’s Center.
Board members of the Children’s Center were also thanked for their volunteer contributions to the agency. Executive Director Sandy Barber praised their leadership and efforts in fundraising and overseeing the operations of the agency.
CASA Casework Supervisor Sandy Hood talked about the volunteer’s contributions over the past year. CASA volunteers logged in 2,408.75 hours and drove 32,305 miles in their efforts to advocate for abused children in foster care. Volunteers contributed 208.75 hours for the Children’s Advocacy Center and 124.75 hours for the Rainbow Rooms. Using volunteer value rates from the Independent Sector and mileage rates from the IRS, volunteers’ contribution to the Children’s Center last year were estimated to be valued at $74,428.99.
For more information about the Children’s Center, visit www.fanninccc.org.
