Due to a deficit in the upcoming fiscal year 2012-13 budget, the Decatur County Board of Commissioners has recently had to make funding cuts to local organizations that meet community needs.

Among those cuts was removing $5,000 in funding to the Decatur County Department of Family and Children Services’ (DFACS) foster children fund, and $6,000 from the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Southwest Georgia program.

Both of these programs are among the many worthwhile causes that help children who come from abusive or broken homes, and help those children to live more “normal” lives. For example, the DFACS foster children fund meets needs such as haircuts, birthday presents, and monthly allowances.

Although it is unfortunate the Decatur County government cannot provide that funding this year, it is possible for private citizens to help make up the difference. Citizens can write a personal check to DFACS and specifically request that the money go into the foster children fund.

If just 500 citizens gave $10, the $5,000 funding imbalance would be eliminated. With larger donations, it would take even fewer citizens. Children are our future, and we should certainly all do whatever we can to help.

For more information about DFACS, call (229) 248-2420 or visit 505 S. Wheat Ave. in Bainbridge. For more information about CASA of Southwest Georgia, call (229) 248-1040 or visit 115 E. Troupe St. in Bainbridge.