CASA Fundraiser Attendance Grows

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor-

Participation continues to grow at the Taste of the Harvest fundraiser for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Approximately 250 people attended the annual event Friday at Center Lake Pavilion.

Sally Mahnken, executive director of CASA of Kosciusko County, said, "We are very pleased with the response this year. We started with about 75 attendees. This year, we sold about 250 tickets and people were still calling Thursday and Friday."

When asked how the event started, Mahnken said, "I had learned of a similar event with the wine-tasting theme that CASA in LaPorte County used as a fundraiser, and wondered if something similar would help us raise funds here. I mentioned the idea to Pat Likens, and the rest is history. Pat's interest and assistance were phenomenal; we couldn't have done it without her." Pat and her husband, Ed, continue to be an integral part of the event. Ed serves on CASA's board of directors.

The event was underwritten by DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson Co., and the Biomet Foundation. Wines and non-alcoholic beverages for the wine-tasting tables were provided by Ed and Pat Likens and Willie and JoLynn Likens and Service Liquor, Olinger Distributing Co., National Wine & Spirits Corp. and Indiana Wholesale Wine and Liquor Co. Inc.

Coffees were donated by Blue Lion Coffee House and Roaster, Pierceton. Hors d'oeuveres were provided by Noa Noa, Warsaw, and music was provided by harpist Sara Wall. In addition to financially supporting CASA, the Alstrusa Club provides volunteers to assist with the event.

The silent auction portion of the fundraiser included wine baskets by Service Liquor and a coffee basket by Blue Lion.

In addition to National City bank, gold sponsors included: Instru-med, Tony and Kathy Miller; Grossnickle Eye Center; Hall & Marose Insurance; Heckaman Homes; and a gift in honor and memory of Susan Whetstone; silver sponsors were Zimmer, Himes and Krull, LLC, Lake City Bank, ComforTemp Inc., Jerry and Norma Ferguson and Farmers State Bank; and there were 21 businesses and individuals who were bronze sponsors.

CASA provides trained volunteers to represent children in the court system due to abuse, neglect or those caught in volatile custody disputes. The board of directors include George Brennan III, Rebecca Coleman, Syd Ellis, Martha Firestone, Earle Hanlin, Faye Jagger, Laura Kaufman, Jeanine Knowles, Ed Likens, Kevin Marose, Christianna Smith and Georgia Tenney.

Currently, 50 individuals serve as CASA volunteers. For more information, call 574-372-2401. [[In-content Ad]]

Participation continues to grow at the Taste of the Harvest fundraiser for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Approximately 250 people attended the annual event Friday at Center Lake Pavilion.

Sally Mahnken, executive director of CASA of Kosciusko County, said, "We are very pleased with the response this year. We started with about 75 attendees. This year, we sold about 250 tickets and people were still calling Thursday and Friday."

When asked how the event started, Mahnken said, "I had learned of a similar event with the wine-tasting theme that CASA in LaPorte County used as a fundraiser, and wondered if something similar would help us raise funds here. I mentioned the idea to Pat Likens, and the rest is history. Pat's interest and assistance were phenomenal; we couldn't have done it without her." Pat and her husband, Ed, continue to be an integral part of the event. Ed serves on CASA's board of directors.

The event was underwritten by DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson Co., and the Biomet Foundation. Wines and non-alcoholic beverages for the wine-tasting tables were provided by Ed and Pat Likens and Willie and JoLynn Likens and Service Liquor, Olinger Distributing Co., National Wine & Spirits Corp. and Indiana Wholesale Wine and Liquor Co. Inc.

Coffees were donated by Blue Lion Coffee House and Roaster, Pierceton. Hors d'oeuveres were provided by Noa Noa, Warsaw, and music was provided by harpist Sara Wall. In addition to financially supporting CASA, the Alstrusa Club provides volunteers to assist with the event.

The silent auction portion of the fundraiser included wine baskets by Service Liquor and a coffee basket by Blue Lion.

In addition to National City bank, gold sponsors included: Instru-med, Tony and Kathy Miller; Grossnickle Eye Center; Hall & Marose Insurance; Heckaman Homes; and a gift in honor and memory of Susan Whetstone; silver sponsors were Zimmer, Himes and Krull, LLC, Lake City Bank, ComforTemp Inc., Jerry and Norma Ferguson and Farmers State Bank; and there were 21 businesses and individuals who were bronze sponsors.

CASA provides trained volunteers to represent children in the court system due to abuse, neglect or those caught in volatile custody disputes. The board of directors include George Brennan III, Rebecca Coleman, Syd Ellis, Martha Firestone, Earle Hanlin, Faye Jagger, Laura Kaufman, Jeanine Knowles, Ed Likens, Kevin Marose, Christianna Smith and Georgia Tenney.

Currently, 50 individuals serve as CASA volunteers. For more information, call 574-372-2401. [[In-content Ad]]

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