Chief District Court Judge Honors Child Advocates

Pictured in the photo (from bottom left): Valerie Haynes, District 11 Interim District Administrator, Pat Gessner, Denise Medlin, Beverly Herring, Marie Mobley, GAL Attorney Advocate and son, Seth, Carolyn Dobbin, Barbara Smith, Denton Lee, John Webster, GAL Supervisor, Cynthia Saunders, Mary Fuller, Zella Johnson, Iris Fuentes, Kristi Casey, Tom Glithero, Fran Funderburg, Wanda Sexton, Doug Funderburg, Melannie Gunter and center top, Vivian Holmes, GAL Program Assistant
Pictured in the photo (from bottom left): Valerie Haynes, District 11 Interim District Administrator, Pat Gessner, Denise Medlin, Beverly Herring, Marie Mobley, GAL Attorney Advocate and son, Seth, Carolyn Dobbin, Barbara Smith, Denton Lee, John Webster, GAL Supervisor, Cynthia Saunders, Mary Fuller, Zella Johnson, Iris Fuentes, Kristi Casey, Tom Glithero, Fran Funderburg, Wanda Sexton, Doug Funderburg, Melannie Gunter and center top, Vivian Holmes, GAL Program Assistant

Chief District Court Judge Jaqueline Lee and Guardian Ad Litem Staff recognized the contributions of Guardian Ad Litem child advocates in Johnston County by providing an afternoon reception in the atrium area of the Johnston County Courthouse on April 7th.

The event brought together 16 volunteers. Cynthia Saunders, a GAL volunteer advocate from Clayton, has been with the program for 6 years.  She said, “Being a Guardian Ad Litem is a gift for me. I truly love volunteering to help children in this way.”

Valerie Haynes, District 11 Interim District Administrator emphasized the honor of recognizing GAL volunteers for their service. “Many people talk about their interest in helping children, but you Guardians Ad Litem put intentions into action by being strong voices for abused and neglected children in court,” she said.

To honor the volunteers’ contributions, the following generous businesses donated items: Sherry’s Signature Cheesecakes, 120 East Main Street, Clayton, donated “itty bitty” cheesecake bites, Dunkin Donuts, 1006 Brightleaf Boulevard donated “Munchkins” and the Erwin Walmart Supercenter, 590 East Jackson Boulevard, donated punch ingredients.

The District 11 GAL Program is part of the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, which recruits, trains, and supervises volunteer advocates in every county across the state to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected, and dependent children in the state court system. Volunteer advocates work with an attorney to form a plan that ensures these children are placed in a safe, permanent home.

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program thrives on volunteerism, and its vital work is only made possible by dedicated volunteers who are committed to the cause of keeping children safe from future harm. If you have an interest in becoming the voice for a child, contact the District 11 GAL Johnston County annex at 919-934-3348 or the main office at910-814-4690.