About CASA Heroes
Selecting CASA Heroes is always a difficult task. Every CASA volunteer is a hero to an abused and neglected child. All Payne County CASA volunteers do so much just by opening their hearts and donating their time to advocate for children in Payne County.CASA Heroes - Fourth Quarter 2007
CASA Hero of the Quarter
In December a CASA child’s dream came true thanks to the attentiveness of his CASA volunteer and the generosity of a local pilot.
CASA volunteer Steve Bunch has been with Payne County CASA since 2005. During his tenure with CASA he has advocated for the best interest of six children and recently accepted assignment to his seventh CASA child. Steve is retired after 23 years in law enforcement, half with the Noble County Sheriff’s and half with the Perry Police Department. Steve’s experiences in law enforcement lead him to CASA. While working in law enforcement Steve saw the many things children go through and wanted to help. Aside from CASA Steve is a member of the Cherokee Tribe and works as a part time security officer at Stillwater Medical Center. Steve is also a member of the Lion’s Club and Rotary Club and has an interest in Oklahoma history research. Steve has two sons, both retired US Navy Seals. Steve also has four grandchildren. Steve’s son, Carl, lives in Alaska with his wife and three children and his son, Kelly lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and daughter.
Steve has found his nitch with CASA. He feels he does best working with young boys. Steve just accepted assignment to an 11 year old boy but it’s his last CASA child, an eight year old boy with a dream of flying and some day becoming a pilot that brings us to the heart of our story.
Steve is a very focused volunteer with excellent listening skills. Steve built great rapport with Ben (the child’s name has been changed for confidentiality purposes). Ben liked to draw and he often drew pictures of airplanes. Steve even showed the judge one of Ben’s airplane drawings in court. As Ben and Steve talked about family and visits and all the things CASAs do Steve also chatted with Ben about his interests. Steve found that Ben desperately wanted to fly in an airplane and when he grows up wants to become a pilot.
Steve, in his laid back and casual fashion, approached his friend of over 20 years,
John Ward. Mr. Ward owns his own airplane and flies for a hobby. Mr. Ward owns and operates a gun and sporting good store in Stillwater. Steve simply asked John if he’d be willing to take someone on a little flight and Steve politely offered to pay for the fuel. John said, “It’s not you is it?!” and Steve just laughed and said no. Before Steve could go on John said, “It’s not any of your kids is it?” Steve said no, his kids were grown, and at that point Steve told John that he had worked with a boy through CASA whose dream was to be a pilot. Steve explained that the boy had recently been permanently placed with his aunt and uncle in a town in southern Oklahoma. John was more than willing to accommodate. However, when Steve said he’d go get the boy and bring him to Stillwater Municipal Airport John was in complete disagreement.
So Steve broke the news to Ben- not only would he get to fly in a plane but the plane would come and pick him up! Steve and John flew to Ben’s home and picked him up for a fun-filled flight. It gets even better. Much to Steve’s surprise John brought a pillow along so the young pilot could fly the plane for a bit. “When he (Ben) got off that plane he could’ve flew for the next four hours without a plane,” said Steve. Gives you chills doesn’t it? Dreams really do come true for children when folks like Steve and John get involved. John was recently awarded a Friends of Children Award by Payne County CASA. John was recently featured in the March 2008 edition of a national aviation magazine for his work with the Cushing Airport Support Wing Association. “I love to give plane rides to kids,” said John, “we do it all the time.” “I had the pleasure of meeting John,” said Miller, “he is so nice and so generous and very modest. He didn’t think what he did for Ben was a big deal. People like John and Steve positively impact children more than they know. Both Steve and John have a genuine interest in helping kids. We need more people just like them to get involved!”
As for Steve, due to his diligence as a volunteer and his ability to assist kids in the court room and in making their dreams come true, he is Payne County CASA’s Hero of the Third Quarter. “Steve is like this quiet reassurance for his CASA kids that someone is looking out for them. He does his job as a CASA volunteer like that’s just what he was meant to do. He is very dependable and steadfast and the children he works with are very lucky to have him in their corner,” said Carmen Miller, Program Director. When asked what his reaction was to receiving his CASA Hero award Steve said, “Surprised!” “I think CASA is very rewarding- it is for me. It pays real good right here. (as he points to his heart). It’s a big oppurtunity to do something for someone else, especially children,” said Steve. “In law enforcement I saw the kids being affected by what was going on. Now that I’m retired CASA is a nice way to pick up the back end and help the kids. I try to promote CASA to almost everyone I come in contact with. I try to talk to people about it. It’s a good way help.”
FREE CASA Volunteer training will be held April 10th and 11th at the CASA office. For more informatin call 405-624-2242 or email info@casaforkids.com or visit www.casaforkids.com
