Holiday Gift Drive Report

Each year, our all-volunteer nonprofit support organization Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc. works with local businesses, community organizations and individuals to ensure that every child represented by the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program receives gifts for the holiday season.

Thanks to the community's generous support, the 2017 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive was an outstanding success. Providing gifts to hundreds of local children and youth, the drive brought in an impressive range and quantity of items.

• $2,645 in gift cards
• 8,000 wipes
• 4,500 diapers
• 150 trucks, dolls and action figures
• 100 books and board games
• 100 baby and toddler toys
• 75 stuffed animals
• 69 bicycles, tricycles and scooters
• 60 sets of blocks
• Clothing items
• Helmets

"Clearly, the community cares about our youth in care and another holiday will hopefully bring some happiness to these children despite their circumstances," said Jennifer West, Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit board member.

Thank you to event chair Stacey Burns and everyone who participated in the holiday gift drive.

Happy holidays to all!

Quilt Raffle Fundraiser Report

On Monday, December 11, 2017, Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit conducted the drawing for the Guardian ad Litem Quilt Raffle Fundraiser. This novel event, culminating with the drawing held at Starbucks on Thomasville Road in Tallahassee, gave people a chance to win a beautiful, handmade quilt in exchange for a twenty dollar donation.

Congratulations to Jan Davis, the lucky winner randomly selected from twenty-three entries. A volunteer guardian ad litem for the past seven years, Davis is now the proud owner of the quilt — "Tied Together to Help the Community" — a 2014 volunteer collaboration by employees with the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

Measuring seventy by eighty-seven inches, the quilt consists of over 175 ties contributed by the employees and was designed and constructed by four of them. The goal of creating the quilt was to raise funds for a worthy cause. The raffle raised $460 for our program.

Thank you to the Florida Office of the Attorney General, event chair Jennifer West and everyone who donated!

Three individuals who helped produce the quilt joined by Attorney General of Florida Pam Bondi (right) standing in front of "Tied Together to Help the Community".

New Foundation Logo

Following its recent renaming, Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit now has a new logo to match. Thanks to the efforts of board member Lilianna Murphy, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association has allowed the foundation to use a customized version of their logotype. It has replaced the CAII branding on our Foundation page and website sidebar.

In addition, the logo is available to download in three formats and sizes suitable for use on web pages and in small documents printed on home or office printers. The downloads, samples and details on requesting tailor-made versions are available on the foundation's logo page.

Please note that the logo may only be used on official materials produced or sanctioned by the foundation's board.

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following event was added to our calendar.

• Jeff Cameron Show Bowling Tournament
  Special
  Wednesday, December 13, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Holiday Gift Drive Update

One addition has been made to the 2017 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive event page. The aforementioned Jeff Cameron Show Bowling Tournament was added to the "Supporting Events" section.

Separated from family and siblings, the holiday season can be a difficult and lonely time for the abused, neglected and abandoned children represented by our program. Despite their circumstances and heartbreaking stories, these children and youth still anticipate the season like any other child and teen.

Run by our nonprofit partner Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc., the annual holiday gift drive ensures that all children and youth represented by our program are able to receive some gifts this holiday season.

You can learn all about the drive and how to participate by visiting gal2.org/gift today.

New Event

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following event was added to our calendar.

• Volunteer Training: January 2018
  Training
  Monday, January 8
  Thursday, January 11
  Wednesday, January 17
  Thursday, January 18
  Monday, January 22
  Thursday, January 25

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Holiday Gift Drive Updates

Two additions have been made to the 2017 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive event page and our calendar.

A new gift donation drop off date and location has been added. Donations may be delivered to Saint Paul's United Methodist Church at 1700 North Meridian Road on Friday, December 8, 2017 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. This drop off event is in addition to those already scheduled on December 2 and December 3.

A location for the volunteer shopping and celebration event has also been set. It will take place in Saint Paul's United Methodist Church at 1700 North Meridian Road on Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Separated from family and siblings, the holiday season can be a difficult and lonely time for the abused, neglected and abandoned children represented by our program. Despite their circumstances and heartbreaking stories, these children and youth still anticipate the season like any other child and teen.

Run by our nonprofit partner Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc., the annual holiday gift drive ensures that all children and youth represented by our program are able to receive some gifts this holiday season.

You can learn all about the drive and how to participate by visiting gal2.org/gift today.

Thanksgiving Donations

In keeping with their annual tradition, members of community supporter Tallahassee Barristers Association recently stopped by our office with donations in hand. Just in time for Thanksgiving, the attorneys brought twenty turkeys and baskets filled with food for those families represented by our program in need this season.

We are thankful to the Tallahassee Barristers Association and our other community supporters for everything they do for children in our community.

Holiday Gift Drive Updates

A number of updates have been made to the 2017 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive event page and our calendar.

The gift donation drop off event schedule has been updated. Donations may be delivered on Saturday, December 2 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (rescheduled from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM) and Sunday, December 3 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The session on Friday, December 1 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM has been cancelled.

A location for the donation drop off event has also been set. Volunteers will accept donations at the Florida Department of Transportation's W. Haydon Burns Building Auditorium during the aforementioned times. The auditorium at 605 Suwannee Street is located near the parking lot south of the main FDOT building and across from Cascades Park in Downtown Tallahassee.

Separated from family and siblings, the holiday season can be a difficult and lonely time for the abused, neglected and abandoned children represented by our program. Despite their circumstances and heartbreaking stories, these children and youth still anticipate the season like any other child and teen.

Run by our nonprofit partner Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc., the annual holiday gift drive ensures that all children and youth represented by our program are able to receive some gifts this holiday season.

You can learn all about the drive and how to participate by visiting gal2.org/gift today.

New Foundation Telephone

Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc. has a new telephone number. You can now dial (850) 524-6233 to reach a foundation volunteer.

The telephone number has been added to the foundation's page.

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following event was added to our calendar.

• Apps and a Movie
  Continuing Education
  Friday, December 1, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc. (formerly Child Advocates II) is hosting a raffle fundraiser in support of our program. Thanks to a generous offer of support from staff at the Florida Office of the Attorney General, the foundation is selling tickets for a chance to win a beautiful, handmade quilt.

Raffle tickets are $20 each. All proceeds from your tax-deductible donation will benefit abused and neglected children in our community. All tickets must be purchased by 11:59 PM on Sunday, December 10, 2017. The raffle drawing will be held on Monday, December 11, 2017.

Visit gal2.org/quilt to learn more about the quilt, buy raffle tickets online or by telephone and download a print flyer.

Three individuals who helped produce the quilt joined by Attorney General of Florida Pam Bondi (right) standing in front of "Tied Together to Help the Community".

A New Name For Child Advocates II, Inc.

Child Advocates II, Inc. (CAII), the charitable, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit volunteer organization founded to support our program, has changed its name. Their new name, Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc., was chosen to better align with our program. Although they have a new name, their mission remains the same.

Through fundraising, public outreach and volunteer support, Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit works closely with our program to help provide for the needs of abused and neglected children in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties. First established in 1988, the foundation conducts fundraising and marketing activities, volunteer recruitment programs, membership drives, special events and collects donations.

Ten pages plus the sidebar and site map were updated in response to the name change.

• Home
• About
• Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc.
• Help
• Supporters
• Projects
• Beyond the Basics
• Links
• Donate
• Contact

References to CAII on other pages will remain with old links redirecting accordingly.

Staff Directory Update

Our staff directory on the Contact page has been updated to reflect recent personnel changes.

Please join us in welcoming Supervising Child's Best Interest Attorney Eric Emery, Administrative Specialist Lisa Meola, Child Advocate Manager Shelby Pederson and Child's Best Interest Attorney Kristie Regan to our team.

In addition, Lorraine Donovan-Lepanto and Shawn O'Neal have departed. We thank Lorraine and Shawn for their service and wish them the best with their future endeavors.

Finally, Victim Child Advocate Manager Katelyn Mastro is now known as Katelyn Carmona.

eForm Retirement

The Contact eForm (MSG) is retired and no longer available for use. It has been removed from the Form and Document Library and its shortlink updated to redirect to the Contact page.

The discontinued eForm was infrequently utilized as direct email and telephone communications were preferred. While it was in service, the Contact eForm processed nine submissions.

New Event

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following event was added to our calendar.

• 2017 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive
  Special
  Gift Donation Drop Off
  Friday, December 1, 2017
  Saturday, December 2, 2017
  Sunday, December 3, 2017
  
  Volunteer Shopping and Celebration Event
  Saturday, December 9, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Our Annual Holiday Gift Drive Helps Brings Normalcy To Local Children

We are pleased to announce the 2017 Guardian ad Litem Holiday Gift Drive has been scheduled in early December.

Separated from family and siblings, the holiday season can be a difficult and lonely time for the abused, neglected and abandoned children represented by our program. Despite their circumstances and heartbreaking stories, these children and youth still anticipate the season like any other child and teen.

The annual holiday gift drive — run by our nonprofit partner Child Advocates II, Inc. (CAII) — ensures that all children and youth represented by our program are able to receive some gifts this holiday season.

Please visit gal2.org/gift to learn more and then help us spread the word.

On the gal2.org/gift event page, you can learn about this important and popular event.

• How our holiday gift drive works
• How you or your business can participate
• Drive sponsors and supporting events
• Gift recommendations by age and gender
• How to get in contact

There are still some details to be added to the event page, so stay tuned for future update announcements.

You can stay informed by subscribing to the gal2.org Updates weekly email digest. You can also follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or subscribe to the RSS feed to receive notifications when we publish new content.

Thank you for your support!

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following events were added to our calendar.

• Educational Advocacy Program
  Continuing Education
  Monday, October 9, 2017

• Educational Surrogate Training
  Continuing Education
  Thursday, October 26, 2017

• Volunteer Training: November 2017
  Training
  Monday, November 6
  Wednesday, November 8
  Thursday, November 9
  Monday, November 13
  Wednesday, November 15
  Thursday, November 16

• Educational Advocacy Program
  Continuing Education
  Monday, November 13, 2017

• Educational Surrogate Training
  Continuing Education
  Thursday, November 30, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

New Training Event

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following event was added to our calendar.

• Volunteer Training: October 2017
  Training
  Monday, October 2
  Thursday, October 4
  Monday, October 5
  Monday, October 9
  Wednesday, October 11
  Thursday, October 12

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Event Rescheduled

The Educational Surrogate Training class originally scheduled on Monday, September 25 has been moved to Thursday, September 28, 2017 at the same time, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM. Our event page, print flyer and calendar have been updated accordingly.

Form and Document Library

One updated document is now available to download in the Form and Document Library on the Current Volunteers page.

• Transportation Guidelines and Forms
  filed under Forms and Documents: Standards and Guidelines

Continuing Education

One new library item was added to our Continuing Education resource center.

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
  An article by Kathryn Shea with The Florida Center for Early Childhood published in the Summer 2017 issue of the International Journal of Birth and Parent Education.
  filed under Early Childhood and Article