'Hangin' with the Heroes' event shows appreciation for volunteers

Anna Chapman, Marietta Daily Journal, Ga.
·2 min read

Jun. 14—When it was decided the best interests of the young girl lie in her return to Guatemala to be with family, Cobb County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Melissa Zgonc didn't hesitate.

After evaluating the girl's case, Zgonc recommended to the court that the best situation for the youth would be a return to Central America to be with her grandparents.

But Zgonc knew the girl, who is wheelchair bound and nonverbal due to a chronic neurological disease, couldn't make the trip on her own.

"We had an established relationship and she was always happy and excited to see me. I thought it was important to ... go with her," said Zgonc, who has volunteered with CASA for nearly four years.

In January 2020, the pair traveled to Guatemala with DFCS officials where the girl reunited with her grandparents.

Zgonc receives updates from the girl's grandparents in Guatemala on her situation and plans to stay involved in the child's life.

"Her health has improved greatly since being back with her family and I attribute that to love. There's nothing that can replace the love of a family," Zgonc said.

CASA staff expressed their appreciation for volunteers like Melissa with a celebration near the Cobb County courthouse on Friday afternoon.

After being unable to host an appreciation event due to COVID-19, CASA's Juvenile Program Coordinator Maricruz Garcia was determined to put on an event to thank the volunteers.

"It was just important to let them know how much we appreciate them," Garcia said. "Their role is a big deal in the lives of these children, and children are our future."

Marjorie Seon, one of the 97 volunteers at Cobb County CASA, has volunteered with the program since 2003 and worked on over 20 cases.

Throughout her volunteering stint, she said that CASA leadership has always supported her casework.

"If I have an emergency on a Saturday or Sunday, I'm able to get in touch with them," Seon said. "There's no such thing as 'I'm out, I can't do this.'"

Anita Douglas serves as the board chair for CASA. She said CASA leadership strives to assist the volunteers in their mission of improving the current situations and futures of Cobb County children.

"We needed to do everything we could to be that support in the background for people who are doing all of this hard work," Douglas said. "We have served as an amazing support system."

Kim Zeller was handed a CASA flyer at a parade in Blue Ridge, Georgia, which spurred her to look more into the program and attend the Hangin' with the Heroes event.

"For people who are going to get involved, you're really supported. You're not going to be out there on your own, which is the best," Zeller said, adding that she is planning to get involved with CASA.