By: Marisa McFadin

I met Belinda several years ago working as a caseworker at Child Protective Services.  We worked with several families together and in one particular case she helped facilitate the adoption of 3 siblings and in no doubt saved them from a life of poverty, drug exposure and homelessness.  I immediately knew she was special...because she went above and beyond for those children and genuinely cared about them.

One night Belinda called me and told me about a new position at the City of Rowlett in her juvenile court.  Belindaʼs enthusiasm and innovative ideas inspired me and got me excited!  It wasnʼt until I went to work for her that I realized just how PASSIONATE she was about helping kids.

She was the brains behind all of the crazy/fun projects and outings planned for the ROCK kids.  Belinda would often call me late at night and say "Marisa, I have an idea!"  And if you know Belinda, that means sheʼs made up her mind about something, and you might as well brace yourself and hear her out.

She would say "What if we took the ROCK kids (all 25 of them) fishing because most of these kids have never been fishing and I want them to get to experience that and have fun outdoors!"  Or, "We should do Glamour shots with all the ROCK girls...how much fun would that be? Iʼve already called my hair dresser, we can bring OUR makeup and ask some high school girls to donate old prom dresses!"

Immediately I start asking questions...how are we gonna get 25 kids to the lake...where are we gonna get 25 fishing poles...whoʼs gonna put the worms on the hooks???  OR where are we going take the Glamour shot pictures...who are we gonna get to take the pictures???  And just like a lawyer, she had an answer for EVERYTHING.  Like I said before she didnʼt come up with an idea she couldnʼt see through...she was the DREAMER.

Everyone she met in her personal and professional life she would wonder to herself, "How could they help me with my ROCK program?...hmmm a motivational speaker, field trip, something fun/different for the kids to see or do."  She would even ask "So what are you doing Wednesday afternooon?"  The other person would answer nothing---thinking they were about to be invited to have dinner with the Judge---and instead Belinda would say, "Oh, good then you can be the guest speaker this week at ROCK!!!"  Belinda always said, "When people see me coming they RUN because they know I am going to ask for something for the kids! Either for donations, food, volunteers, something!"

And I donʼt know how many times I heard her say, "Well, Iʼve got to go to court today and be a lawyer so I can pay my bills...but Marisa, I really want YOUR job so I can spend ALL of my time with the kids!!!" Not only did Belinda give her time and own money to ROCK but I know there is no where else she would rather be on a Wednesday night than with her kids.

Belinda had the God given ability to make you feel special.  Her infectious personality made you WANT to be around her.  If you knew Belinda well, then you know how busy she was...sometimes friends would volunteer for ROCK just to get the chance to spend time with her.

Belinda was one of the most influential people in my life both professionally and personally.  So today I ask you, if you want Belindaʼs legacy to live on, then get involved...make a difference in the life of a child.  Iʼm not asking you to necessarily get involved with ROCK...there are kids in your community, at your church, or even in your neighborhood that need to feel important and loved by someone---and that someone could be YOU.

The difference between Belinda and most people is...people SAY they want to get involved and do something good for others...but in Belindaʼs case she did.  Learn from Belinda, a selfless, kind-hearted, Christian woman, who not only wanted to make a difference...but DID---without ever being asked to do so.