FANNIN COUNTY, Tex. -- Two children's programs have had major budget cuts this year. Staff and volunteers at the Fannin County Children's Center are trying to figure out what they are going to do after a very drastic budget cut that caught them completely off guard.

"Things are changing, but the one thing that is going to remain constant to them is their CASA volunteer," said CASA volunteer and Board President Melanie Grammar.

One thing that is not constant is the budget for programs like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The budget for the Children's Center and its programs has been cut by $10,000. That money comes from fines and fees paid by criminals in the justice system, but now that money is going toward other federal programs. The other program is The Children's Advocacy Center that deals with children involved in criminal cases.

"We run a pretty lean ship here, and we don't have much fluff in our budget so the main thing I think we are going to look to do is raise additional funding from the community," Sandy Barber, Executive Director of Fannin County Children’s Center.

Volunteers like Melanie Grammar and 30 other volunteers work hard to keep the center alive to make sure every child's needs are met.

"I know I just have to put a little but more out there on the table, and I need to help other people understand what we are doing,” said Grammar.

“We are volunteers. If we weren't, we might not be here. Budget cuts do everything.”

Barber also said, "We're hopeful that we can make up the difference and that we don't have to cut into the essential services that we are providing for kids."

The center is holding a fundraiser and auction called Justice Is Served.

Justice Is Served
September 13, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Hwy 56 & FM 87
About 2 miles west of Bonham