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CASA acquires Craig International building
Non-profit will get more space to help children
By John Coleman, McKinney Courier-Gazette
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a non-profit child advocate group, is finalizing a deal with Craig International Inc. to acquire the company’s building in downtown McKinney.
According to Susan Etheridge, executive director for CASA in Collin County, the program is very important for these children’s lives, and Collin County division officials are proud to be able to say they can offer this service to 100 percent of the children in Collin County.
“CASA volunteers may be the only stable relationship in these abused or neglected children’s lives, and we are proud to be able to help 100 percent of them here in Collin County, something not many other counties can say,” Etheridge said.
The move is a necessary upgrade in space for the CASA operation.
“The move is badly needed,” said Melissa Mayor David Dorman, recipient of the 2007 CASA Voice for Children Award. “They have been working in less-than ideal circumstances for some time, with three people in offices designed for one and with badly-outdated computer equipment.”
The move will provide an additional 3,000 square feet for the 11 employees and over 170 special volunteers.
To finance the acquisition, CASA as a non-profit, is seeking any supporters. Naming rights for the building, offices, board rooms and even inscribed “champion for children” bricks are available through the capital campaign to finance the move.
As for Craig International, the company will move to the Craig Ranch Professional Plaza at Craig Ranch. The move also gives Craig International bigger space to accommodate its growing business. The company is currently in a month-to-month lease-back agreement, but should be in full operation at the new location by the end of the summer.
In negotiating the deal with the non-profit CASA, Craig International continued its philanthropic efforts by selling the building at a discounted rate, according to president and CEO David Craig.
“I support the CASA cause. If you are familiar with our business, you know that we are very philanthropic and very involved with non-profits,” Craig said. “The CASA cause is very near and dear to our hearts.”
The acquisition and mild construction efforts to suit the building for CASA operations and transition should be complete by the end of the year.
Contact John Coleman at mckintern@acnpapers.com.
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