Dallas CASA Hosts Cherish the Children Luncheon

WFAA-TV anchor Cynthia Izaguirre and Dallas Maverick CEO Cynt Marshall spoke before a sold-out crowd of 400 at Dallas CASA’s Cherish the Children luncheon May 6 about their commitments and connections to children in foster care.

“I know firsthand what it means to show up for a child because I had people in my life who did, including three teachers and a principal,” said Marshall. “I represent a life saved because someone showed up.”

The event also included a silent auction with items including a silent auction that included items like Texas Rangers tickets, a Dr. Delphinium master class, jewelry, spa days, and special child-sized furniture.

The luncheon, co-chaired by Beth Cholerton and Hannah May, honored Izaguirre with the Caroline Rose Hunt Cherish the Children Award for her years of service to “Wednesday’s Child”, a WFAA-TV program that features children in foster care looking for permanent homes. Attendees included Dallas CASA board members, special friends, judges, and commissioners, including Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

“‘Wednesday’s Child’ is often a ‘last chance’ for children in foster care,” said Izaguirre. “But we don’t give up on these children. We’ve featured a child up to five times to find them a permanent home. We want to get as many children out of the foster care system as possible.”

Izaguirre and Marshall encouraged the audience to support children under the protection of the state, whether it be through adoption, advocacy, awareness, or simply showing up for a child in need.

Both speakers have experience with adoption and foster care: Izaguirre shared with attendees about her son, Henry, who was adopted out of foster care in 2018, and Marshall spoke about her four children’s respective journeys in foster care.