Savannah, Ga. – December 13, 2017 – Employees of the Georgia Ports Authority helped make the holidays a little brighter for dozens of Savannah-area children Wednesday.

For the past 15 years, GPA employees have delivered wrapped gifts for youths in the care of Savannah Chatham Court Appointed Special Advocates.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to bring smiles to the faces of the children and show them that no matter what they are going through people in this community care,” said Griff Lynch, GPA executive director. “Reaching out to others with generosity through the CASA gift drive has become a holiday tradition we look forward to here at GPA.”

CASA volunteers stand up for the best interests of children who have been abused or neglected. Appointed by judges, they speak up for the child’s needs in the courtroom and community.

“We are so thankful for community partners like GPA,” said Suzanne Wisdom, executive director of the Savannah-Chatham CASA office. “The generosity of our friends at Georgia Ports will make the holidays a bit more magical for 63 of our children. It means they can just be kids on Christmas morning.”

Holiday carolers from the West Chatham Elementary School Chorus added to the festive atmosphere Wednesday.

Throughout the year, CASA trains volunteers to help hundreds of children who have been removed from their homes and become entangled in an overcrowded juvenile justice and foster care system. The mission of the CASA program is to ensure abused and neglected children find a safe, permanent and nurturing home.

Each GPA gift-giver sponsored a child by filling wish lists with holiday goodies. Gift suggestions included clothes, toys, dolls, bikes and games. Case workers at CASA supply the GPA with wish lists for children and youth of all ages.

For information about becoming a CASA volunteer, call 912-447-8908.