‘Green Up for St. Patrick’s’ helps give neglected children a voice

A local organization hopes businesses and community members will buy green bows not only to decorate to town for the St. Patrick’s Festival but to also help children who need a voice.

TLC CASA’s Green Up For St. Patrick’s continues through March 17 as it sells the official green bows for the St. Patrick’s Festival. People can stop by the TLC CASA office, located at 1347 N. Jefferson St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.    

The cost for the official bows of the Saint Patrick’s Festival will be $15 for the medium and $20 for the large. Marie Townsend, advocacy coordinator with TLC CASA, encouraged people to call TLC CASA at (478) 275-8100, ext. 2, to make sure someone is in the office.

“We can deliver bows within the Dublin city limits,” Townsend said. “All money goes to help neglected and abused children who we advocate for in foster care. It helps us train our volunteers to be the children’s voice. It also helps provide a safe home for these children.”

People may also email Townsend (casatownsend@gmail.com) to find out about the bows or inquire about becoming a volunteer. TLC CASA serves Laurens, Johnson, Bleckley, Treutlen, Twiggs, Montgomery, Wheeler, Washington, Dodge, Telfair, Toombs, Emanuel, Jefferson, Candler and Pulaski counties. 

“Across the 15 counties that we serve, we have about 33 active volunteers,” Townsend said. “We are advocating close to 200 to 250 kids, which means some children do not have a voice. All children in foster care need a voice. We really need volunteers. For 30 plus years, our volunteers really make a difference in a child’s life.” 

The bows can also be purchased at Plum Alley, 2032 Veterans Boulevard, Monday through Saturday.

“The green bows really look pretty and they do standout in the parade (held in downtown Dublin on March 14) or on their businesses,” Townsend said. 

“The more green bows we can get up, the more awareness that we bring to what we do for the kids we serve.”