“We feel we will be better able to serve the needs of the children and continue to increase our membership if we closer align our membership year with the AISD school year,” said Lynn Johnson, president of the AdvoCats. “The Aledo Children’s AdvoCats is a non-exclusive organization and all women with a heart for helping children in need are encouraged to join.”   
The Membership Drive will culminate with an “AdvoCats Membership Feast & Fashion Event”. The Feast & Fashion Event will provide a fun opportunity to meet AdvoCat members, eat, learn what opportunities are available for membership, and peruse numerous local retail fashions that will be present. The event is set for April 4th from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Los Vaqueros Banquet Hall in Willow Park. All members and prospective members in the community are invited to this free event. Reservations are required - RSVP at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by March 27, 2008.
“This community has always given outstanding support to our organization. They truly believe that no child should be deprived of basic needs. We had a tremendous number of new members last year and we are hoping for the same this year, especially with our Feast & Fashion Event on April 4th which has been generously provided by Brent Gough of Edward Jones,” said Ann Simmons, membership chair.   
 The AdvoCats have been active in our community since 2001, when a group of women gathered to form an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in need within the Aledo ISD.  What started out as an informal gathering of women chatting in their living rooms, has evolved into a nonprofit organization of 180 members.  The AdvoCats raise significant amounts of financial contributions each year through its Run Walk or Crawl 5K in the spring and the annual golf tournament in the fall – all of which is given back to the community. Unlike other organizations, the Aledo Children’s AdvoCats do not require volunteer service hours. Members have the option to contribute only through their yearly membership dues by checking a box on the membership form.
The AdvoCats maintain close ties with AISD school counselors and charitable organizations, such as the Center of Hope, to learn about specific needs within our community, and then develops programs and fundraisers to address those needs.  AdvoCats fundraisers support:

 The Children’s Fund – Over the last 12 months, the AdvoCats have donated to children and families for things such as clothing, medical expenses, living expenses, dental care, counseling and more.  In 2007, the Children’s Fund also purchased school supplies for more than 200 Aledo ISD students.

The Angel Project – In 2007, over 300 children received gifts through the Angel Project.

The Clothes Closet – The Clothes Closet moved to its new location adjacent to the Center of Hope.  XTO Energy generously provided the AdvoCats’ resale shop free space for the next two years.
Scholarships – In 2007, the AdvoCats donated $6,000 in college scholarships to graduating Aledo High School seniors.

Teen Court – The AdvoCats, under the direction of Victoria Prescott, helped to start up and operate Parker County’s first Teen Court.  Teens with misdemeanor offenses can go to court and be tried by their peers to determine community service hours.
Shattered Dreams – New in 2008, Shattered Dreams is a powerful program designed to demonstrate the devastating effects of drinking and driving. The program is scheduled for May 7-8, 2008, at the Aledo High School. The AdvoCats are co-sponsoring the program along with the PTO and other local entities.  

About the Aledo Children’s AdvoCats
The Aledo Children’s AdvoCats is a non-profit organization of women committed to raising charitable funds to help fulfill and aid unmet needs of children and their families in the Aledo area.  100% of fundraiser money is used towards charitable efforts such as medical expenses, clothing, living expenses, wheelchairs, dental care, school supplies, counseling and more.  Dues are $100 annually, $75 for AISD employees and $75 for members aged 55 and older.