MARIES COUNTY — The Maries County Bank is partnering with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of South Central Missouri and University of Missouri Extension to collect games and puzzles for area children during Missouri Good Neighbor Week.

Sarah Stratman, president of the bank’s Belle branch, said the project was brought to the bank through two employees who serve on the Maries County Extension Board.

“CASA was one of the organizations that we really thought would have the best reach where we could assist,” Stratman said. “There’s a lot of really good local organizations too but, countywide, CASA is one that we really think is such an important organization.”

New puzzles, card games and board games for children and teenagers may be donated now through Oct. 4 at Maries County Bank locations in Vienna, Belle and Vichy.

CASA of South Central Missouri advocates for children involved in the court system through no fault of their own. The organization’s trained volunteers work to ensure the needs and best interests of those children are represented.

Stratman said CASA works with many children in the foster care system who may face uncertainty or move between homes. She said the organization helps provide some stability in their lives.

Donated games and puzzles will be placed in CASA’s Wish! Room, where items are available for birthday gifts and other occasions when a child may need additional encouragement.

“They can use these as birthday gifts or, you know, or different situations where there might be a little special boost is needed,” Stratman said.

Because CASA of South Central Missouri serves children throughout the area’s circuit court district, some donated items may go to children in surrounding counties as well as Maries County children.

“There’s a chance that some of these games may go to a few surrounding counties but they’re going to stay within the district that we work in,” she said.

Only new items are being accepted because the games and puzzles will be given directly to children.

“To be able to have them receive something that’s brand new and just for them is a really big deal,” Stratman said.

Bank employees have also committed to supporting the drive. Stratman said employees at the Belle and Vichy branches plan to use some of the money they contribute for the privilege of wearing jeans on Fridays to purchase items for the collection boxes.

“That’s something that, just as a group, we’ve agreed that we want to do,” Stratman said. “We’re very excited about that.”

Collection boxes will be available at the bank’s Belle, Vichy and Vienna locations.

Missouri Good Neighbor Week will be observed Sept. 28 through Oct. 4. The statewide initiative encourages Missourians to strengthen their communities through acts of kindness, service and neighborly engagement. Something Stratman personally promotes.

“Our emphasis is Good Neighbor Week, and again, there’s so many good organizations within our county that people can participate with and give to,” Stratman said. “Even if you don’t want to buy games and things like that for CASA, still find a way to do something good is what I say. I think there’s just a lot of really nice opportunities to have a positive impact on other people, and that’s a really important thing.”