CASA Inaugral Class Sworn In
Replica of Proposed Memorial Park on Display
On Thursday, November 29th at 5pm at the Greene County Courthouse, the inaugral CASA class was sworn in. CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, consists of volunteers assigned to children by the judicial system. They work with the children to gather information about their situation, recommend actions to the court, and help the children understand what is going on with their case. Judge Farley Toothman led the inaugral ceremony. “I am for the child whose name no one remembers, who no longer attends,” he said during his emotional opening remarks. “This program is making, or at least helping, Greene County be a
great place to live.” Before swearing in the new members, attorney Adam Belletti ran volunteer Thelma Szarell through a mock questioning so that volunteers would better understand the importance of sitting in the witness stand on behalf of the children for whom they advocate. The inaugural class consisted of: Dina Bennett, Kara Compton, Bernice Fox, Christine Gardner, Renee Howard, Pamela Sanders, Joanne Sharer, Emily Stout, Thelma Szarell, Lyndsay Webb, and Tyler Webb. If you would like to become a volunteer, please call 724-833-2615 or email greenecountycasa@ gmail.com.
L-R: Don Martin, veteran and member of the Greene County Salute to Veterans Committee; Greene County Commissioner Blair Zimmerman; Rick Black, veteran and member of the Greene County Salute to Veterans Committee; Dave and Rita Martin, who built the display; and Cindy Martin, Auxiliary member of the Waynesburg Veterans of Foreign Wars.
A replica of the proposed Memorial Park in honor of United States military veterans is currently and prominently on display in the front window of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County in downtown Waynesburg. The display, which was built and donated by area residents Dave and Rita Martin, depicts the park that is being coordinated by the Greene County Salute to Veterans Committee. Don Martin, a veteran and committee member, said the idea to build the park was born following the huge, positive impact of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, which was on display last fall at the Greene County Fairgrounds and visited by thousands of people. Don Martin said the committee had received many donations for the Vietnam Traveling Wall display, and money left over is being used to fund the new Memorial Park that will honor veterans of all military branches in and out of the county.
Martin added that the committee has received and is currently receiving “a tremendous amount of support” from area businesses, service organizations, individuals and county officials – including the Greene County Commissioners – in bringing the plans for the Memorial Park to fruition. “This is a true community effort,” he said. Martin also recognized Jim Hopkins, an area contractor who “has done a great deal of work” on the site. The park is being built on land donated by the Commissioners, near the county museum; Martin said the committee hopes to officially dedicate the park sometime in 2019. He added that the committee intends to sell blocks to the public for the Memorial Wall in honor of veterans, and the proceeds will be used to pay for park costs. The display at First Federal will be available for public viewing indefinitely; Martin said he hopes the display will eventually receive a permanent home with a veterans’ organization.
The volunteers of CASA and families, Judge Farley Toothman, newly hired Program Director Rebecca Matchett and members of the CASA board attended the swearing in ceremony on November 29.
Operation Warm: Bobtown Elementary Operation Warm in partnership with EQT has donated 315 coats so that each student at Bobtown Elementary received a new winter coat. Representatives from EQT arrived at the school on the morning of December 7th to help distribute the coats to students. Each coat also was tagged with a friendly reminder: if you don’t need the coat, pass the donation along to someone that does or
return it and the school will donate it to someone in need. Teacher Amy Caldwell said, “We are overwhelmed with the generosity and wanted to share it with the community.” Bobtown Elementary and Southeastern Greene School District would like to express their sincere gratitude to EQT and Operation Warm for their generosity and thoughtfulness to our students.
Greene County 4-H Collects Toys
Greene County 4-H Clubs participated in the Holiday Open House in downtown Waynesburg on November 30th. They passed out hot chocolate
and cookies to attendees. They also participated in the Greene County Toys for Tots toy drive and collected toys for needy families.
Botwon Elementary welcomed representatives from EQT & Operation Warm to their school to distribute coats.
HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER
2018 • GreeneScene Magazine
25
