Children were the real winners of the 15th Annual McCraw Oil/Kwik Chek Golf Tournament that was held at Webb Hill Country Club. Over 100 vendors participated as golfers in this event played to benefit CASA programs who provide trained volunteer advocates for children in foster care. Organizers report that this was the most successful tournament ever, raising a grand total of about $40,000.

Local CASA programs located in the same communities as Kwik Chek in Texas benefited from this tournament, as did the state association, Texas CASA. Kwik Chek operates 43 convenience stores in North and South Texas and Southern Oklahoma.

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, recruits and trains volunteers to become advocates for children in foster care. When a judge determines that a child is no longer safe in their own home, CASA is assigned to gather information and make recommendations to the courts about what would be best for the child.

Kwik Chek owners Kevin Smartt and Doyce Taylor recently presented a check for $6,000 to the leaders of the local CASA program in Fannin County.A grand total of $40,000 was given to thirteen local programs and the state association, Texas CASA.

"It really is an honor to be able to support the CASA organization with our annual fundraising efforts," said Smartt. "They are an organization with caring volunteers doing a great job to help represent children in very difficult circumstances. It is something that our Kwik Chek and McCraw Oil employees believe in and take pride in contributing to such an essential organization. Our goal is to continue to find new ways to help increase fundraising and awareness of CASA and what they do for the children and families in our community."

Other local CASA programs who received funds include CASA for Hunt County, CASA of Grayson County, CASA of Collin County, CASA for Kids of Red River Valley, Highland Lakes Area CASA, CASA of Central Texas, CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties, CASA of West Texas, Voz de Ninos, Child Advocates of San Antonio, CASA of Bastrop County and Hill Country CASA.

For more information about becoming a CASA, visit www.becomeacasa.org. The Fannin County CASA program will begin training a new class of volunteers beginning Feb 3. For more information, visit www.fanninccc.org or call (903) 583-4339.