Court Appointed Special Advocates for children held its 10th annual holiday festival Friday night at Biomet Hangar, Warsaw.
Adopting the dragonfly as its symbol for change, CASA provided video presentations as well as verbal explanations of its goal to impact change in the lives of at-risk children. These children might be victims of the legal system, caught up in custody battles without representation, victims of abuse and neglect, and victims of the meth scourge spreading throughout the county.
CASA’s programs include recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to represent the best interests of these children in the courtroom and other settings. Their objective is to give these children a voice.
In order to provide their services, CASA adds to its coffers with an annual fundraiser. Local businesses and individuals contributed refreshments and gifts for silent and live auctions.
Providing the food and beverages were Service Liquors, Cerulean, Penguin Point Catering, Eagle Creek Farms, The Channel Marker, Maple Leaf Farms, Viand Chef Services, Noa Noa and Bogey’s Catering, and a full list of beverage distributors including Nelson, In Vie Wines, Republic National, Southern Wine and Spirits of Indiana, World Class, Five Star, Olinger, Indiana Wholesale, Monarch and Cavalier.
Live auction contributions included such big-ticket items as Lasik surgery, a white gold and diamond brooch, a custom-made child’s playhouse, and evenings with Frank and Elvis or even a catered dinner party. Colts fans got a chance to win four game tickets at the Paragon game level suite plus a night’s stay at an Indianapolis hotel, and vacation seekers could bid on a week’s vacation at destinations in South Carolina, Florida or Michigan.
Silent auction items ran the gamut from unusual to practical and delicious. There were felt and cowgirl hats and a corkcicle to chill wine, Weber grill, a child’s rocking chair and a ceramic Brie baker with mixes. Community members, businesses and institutions offered massages, cardiac CT screenings and cookies to be delivered throughout the year. All together there were almost 200 gift items donated which allowed CASA to move a bit more toward its goals.
Not all was eating, drinking and socializing, however. Organizers showed a video explaining the work of CASA, which included disturbing photos of very neglected children in the community.
Comments in the film by associate director Mackenzie Cloutier and local police emphasized the need for child services. Also, since it was Veterans Day, a color guard conducted a flag ceremony honoring the military with the flags of the United States and Indiana.
Sally Mahnken, executive director, made her final appearance in that capacity as it was announced that she was stepping down in December after 17 years and would be replaced by Cloutier. Mahnken served CASA for 17 years, three as a volunteer and 14 as its head.
This was the 10th annual event.
For more information on the organization, visit online at www.casachildren.com
