Holiday Heroes: A Community Showing Up for CASA Children

CASA of the River Region is filled with gratitude and awe for the way our community has shown up for children in need. This holiday season, thanks to the generosity of everyday individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups, and community partners, a record-breaking 240 children will receive essential items, warm clothing, toys, and special gifts straight from the top of their wish lists—up from 191 children last year, an increase of nearly 25 percent.

Behind every wish list is a child navigating difficult circumstances, and behind every fulfilled wish is a network of people who care deeply. CASA staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly in recent weeks to compile and manage wish lists, coordinate donations, arrange drop-offs, sort hundreds of items, and schedule pickups—ensuring that every child is remembered, supported, and cared for this season.

Our Holiday Heroes stepped up in incredible ways. Aspire Real Estate Group once again went above and beyond with an outstanding toy drive. St. Matthews Episcopal Church provided thoughtfully selected gifts and essentials through a Giving Tree. The Let Your Love Adorn CASA Benefit Concert and Supply Drive brought together music and generosity with a special focus on the unique needs of teens and tweens—an age group often overlooked.

We are also grateful to Mortenson Family Dental, whose employees adopted 80 children, providing personalized gifts that will bring joy and comfort this season. Additional support from Grant’s Giving Foundation, Elevance Health, Main Street Mercantile, and the Oldham County Kiwanis, along with so many other generous organizations and individuals, helped ensure that no child was left without support.

From families adopting a single wish list to large organizations coordinating collections, and those providing financial contributions to cover any additional needs, every act of generosity has made a difference. Each coat, pair of shoes, toy, hygiene item, and special gift represents care, dignity, and hope for a child who needs it most.

To every Holiday Hero who donated, shopped, organized, delivered, or spread the word—thank you. Because of you, hundreds of children will feel seen, valued, and supported this Christmas. From all of us at CASA of the River Region, we wish you a joyful holiday season and extend our deepest thanks for helping make it brighter for the children we serve.

As we approach the end of the year, there is still time to make an even greater impact.

Year-end gifts made by December 31 may offer potential tax benefits and help ensure CASA can continue advocating for more children in 2026. Consider making a donation at www.casarr.org/donate-now.

You can also set an intention to make a lasting difference as a CASA volunteer advocate—apply now at www.casarr.org/volunteer and be ready to join a January training class.