What The Guardian ad Litem Association (CFGALA) Does

The Cape Fear Guardian ad Litem Association (CFGALA) was organized to raise money to pay for enrichment activities for GaL children; activities that can change a life.  Yes, the children in DSS custody are fed and clothed and sent to school.  But there is little money in the DSS budget to send a kid to camp, put him or her in a summer sports program, buy piano lessons or a trumpet, send the child on a school field trip, buy the child a bicycle or track shoes or a prom dress.  No money to buy tickets to the Aquarium, the Children's Museum, or a children's play at Thalian Auditorium. 

The money CFGALA raises goes to providing these sorts of opportunities to the children in DSS custody.  No money is used to pay board members or staff.

Our children have found confidence and social skills in a basketball camp, in succeeding to learn how to swim, in going away to camp for a week, in a school field trip to Washington DC.  Their lives are changed.

2007 Accomplishments:

GALA’s Fundraising Efforts A Huge Success

175 Children say “Thank You!”

GALA’s 2007 fundraising efforts resulted in a lot of happy faces.  Some 175 abused and neglected children had their lives enriched in a variety of ways because of the Guardians who care so much and the resources generated from a Wilmington community that also cares about these children.

A sixteen-year-old girl now has a guitar and is able to pursue her musical interests.  A 13-year-old got a clarinet.  A 14-year-old boy was able to join a basketball team and buy the necessary uniform.  Numerous children benefitted from tutoring. 

Many of our children were able to spend a week at summer camp or participate in local sports activities or day camps.  Some enjoyed art or dance classes.  One received a cheerleading uniform, one a cap and gown, and another got basketball shoes.  Three siblings, ages 5, 8, and 10, now have a computer to share.

All this enrichment and subsequent happiness cost GALA $40,000 – an average of $230 per child.

Through its “Help a Kid Be a Kid” campaign, GALA raised an amazing $56,000 in 2007, from foundations, corporations, churches and the rest from individual donors.  Wilmington was generous to the GAL children.  More than 130 individuals (including GALs) contributed generously.

The GALA Board would like to thank all of our donors for their amazing generosity.  In addition, thank you to the GAL volunteers who go the extra mile to find enrichment activities for their children and make it all happen.

2006 Accomplishments:

CFGALA raised close to $50,000 in 2006. We enriched the lives of 126 GaL children through summer camps and programs, classes, special equipment, lessons, and other resources.

Additional funds were used to purchase tickets for cultural events for the children and their foster parents and to meet other needs of the children not paid for by DSS.

It was CFGALA’s best year yet!

Thanks to the efforts of individual GaLs and the financial support of CFGALA, these children, ages 5 to 15, went to camp or participated in a recreational program last summer. In addition, a few took dance, swimming, babysitting or karate classes.

Others were able to attend the cultural events CFGALA obtains tickets for: movies and plays at Thalian Hall, the Serpentarium, Cameron Art Museum, Writghtsville Beach Museum, Children’s Museum, Fit for Fun Center, Cape Fear Museum, Railroad Museum, Fort Fisher Aquarium and the Battleship.

Other children were able to get needed dental work, a college tour, eye glasses, a trumpet, a cheerleading uniform and a prom dress.

These are all things that cannot be paid for by the Department of Social Services (DSS) but which can enrich a child’s life in life-altering ways. “I’ve always loved horses but this was the first time I ever got to ride one. I want to grow up to be a veternarian.”

And what about the musically talented kid who now has the trumpet he needs to continue his passion. Can you imagine not being able to go to the prom because you can’t afford a dress? Or making the cheerleading squad but unable to participate because you don’t have the uniform?

These are things most children take for granted. And now, thanks to GALA, these kids can enjoy the same childhood opportunities.

The funds are well-used. The GaLs explain: "....One of my child’s few interests is football and playing on a school team. Football camp developed his social interaction skills and possibly provided friends in his new school setting."

"….It is difficult to find summer camp activities for 15 year olds.  The American Red Cross provided swimming lessons as well as babysitting classes which gave this girl a measure of competence and confidence."

And in a camper’s own words: "I sailed on a sunfish at Camp Don-Lee and I used a thirty-pound pullback in archery!  One night my group slept on the pier, one night in tents and in the cabin."  Thank you....I will remember it forever."