Tis the season … DMC Child Development/Early Childhood Program donates 50 “Sweet Cases” to CASA of the Coastal Bend

Duffle bag donation meant to bring extra cheer to children in area foster care system, serves as learning experience for DMC students

Article by Melinda Eddleman

Del Mar College (DMC) Child Development/Early Childhood (CDEC) students meant to complete the project in Spring 2020. But then the pandemic hit, and their efforts to donate duffle bags, or “Sweet Cases,” to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Coastal Bend were postponed.

Now more than ever, it’s the season for giving.

On Dec. 10, the CDEC Program “wrapped up” their Sweet Cases project by donating 50 duffle bags to CASA of the Coastal Bend for area children in the foster care system. The effort is the second time that CDEC students have provided such a donation with more duffle bags available this year to bring some additional cheer to area youth.

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Due to COVID-19, our project was put on pause, and our donations sat due to the uncertainty of community health concerns and the inability to gather in groups,. Many community agencies were unable to take donations. However, the needs of children didn't stop, so CDEC students continued the work safely to finish stuffing the bags just in time for the holidays in hopes we can ‘sweeten’ children’s lives.

Dr. Amy Mintz, Professor of Early Childhood

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Dr. Mintz and colleague Benita Flores-Muñoz, associate professor of child development, donned Santa hats while handing over the pile of duffle bags topped with a big red bow to CASA communications director Diana Booth.

Diana Booth_CASA Communications Director

CASA of the Coastal Bend communications director Diana Booth poses in front of the red bow-topped pile of Sweet Cases, a donation that Del Mar College Child Development/Early Childhood CDEC students purchased and stuffed with items for area children in foster care. The CDEC project originally started in the spring before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but organizers felt the holiday season was an even better time to bring some cheer to youth while addressing their needs as they transition to new homes. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

Benita Flores-Munoz and Dr Amy Mintz_Loading Sweet Cases

Del Mar College associate professor of child development Benita Flores-Muñoz (left) and Dr. Amy Mintz, professor of early childhood, begin loading the 50 “Sweet Cases” as part of a donation to CASA of the Coastal Bend on Dec. 10. The duffle bags were purchased and personal and fun items collected by DMC Child Development/Early Childhood students for children in foster care. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

Dr Amy Mintz hauling Sweet Cases

Dr. Amy Mintz, Del Mar College professor of early childhood, carries duffle bags or “Sweet Cases” to CASA communications director Diana Booth’s vehicle on Dec. 10 as part of the Child Development/Early Childhood student project that began in the spring. The duffle bags were donated to bring some cheer to area children in foster care and are filled with personal items, toys, books and other fun items just in time for the holidays. (Credit: DMC College Relations)

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It’s beautiful to see our community give to the children in foster care. These times can be difficult being away from their family, and items such as sweet cases full of toiletries and fun items brings children in foster care hope, a chance at a healing heart and the opportunity to thrive.

Diana Booth, Communications Director with CASA of the Coastal Bend

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Dr. Mintz noted that the Child Development Club purchased the new duffle bags so that children entering foster care would not have to carry their belongings in trash bags or brown sacks as they transitioned to a new home. The project was “sweetened” with CDEC intern students and DMC campus members collecting new items for the bags, including personal care items, socks, books, toys, art materials, nightlights, pillowcases and much more.

“Our students are learning valuable skills not just related to teaching children but also to care for children and build relationships with children and families,” Dr. Mintz said. “Understanding children’s needs makes each CDEC student a compassionate early childhood educator and valuable member within our community.”

About Del Mar College

Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.