The Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, toy closet was renamed the Mary Sauer Memorial Toy Closet today in honor of woman who donated countless hours to the closet before her death earlier this year. The closet is located on the ground floor of the Tenth District Court in Fallon.
The toy closet has been in existence since 2017 and provides toys for children in foster care and other children in need. It is part of the family programs branch of the District Court and is run entirely by volunteers. These volunteers have been working to renovate the toy closet to make it a special place that reflects Mary’s love for this community’s children.
Mary spent many years providing service and support to children who were abused and/or neglected or who suffered from addiction issues. She first worked for the Juvenile Probation Department with drug-addicted youth, then volunteered as a CASA.
Volunteers, working with DeVere Carlson, former Churchill County Juvenile Probation Chief, painted the closet, installed shelving and cleaned up a section near the front of the old jail downstairs. Both JPO and the Division of Child and Family Services will have access to the closet for their clients.
Photo caption: The brightened ’little kids’ room of the renovated Mary Sauer Toy Closet.