WINONA LAKE – On July 31, Warsaw Community High School students Kristen Quick and Emily Tandy with the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy hosted a luncheon in recognition of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kosciusko County volunteers.
The event was held at the Russell Center in Winona Lake and was sponsored by Biomet.
The luncheon featured a sit-down meal donated by Our Father’s House of Warsaw; musical performances by Tom Hall & Company; a volunteer recognition ceremony presented by CASA Board of Directors President Audrey Beckman; multiple door prizes donated by Warsaw Cut Glass, J Three Salon, Boathouse Restaurant, Mudlove Pottery, Eagle Creek Farms, and Signature Studios; and floral décor donated by Maple Avenue Florists. The 60 guests consisted of CASA volunteers, including, Volunteer of the Year, Andrea Hershberger; CASA staff and Board of Directors; Pastor Dan Cox from Warsaw’s United Pentecostal Church, who offered the invocation; the Honorable Judge Huffer and the Honorable Judge Reed; KYLA students; and other CASA friends and supporters.
The idea behind honoring CASA volunteers through this event was that of Quick and Tandy who were actively looking for a way to give back to the community.
As members of KYLA, Quick and Tandy were given the opportunity to choose from many philanthropic community causes to build a project around.
They chose CASA as their platform and were successful in executing last Wednesday’s luncheon. In addition to this event, KYLA students have supported CASA through book donations for children and by orchestrating an art project that involved local children who painted canvases with hand prints and smiley faces at May’s First Friday Warsaw.
These heartfelt pieces of art were delivered to the CASA office (located in the Kosciusko County Justice Building) for volunteers to pull inspiration from as they dutifully advocate for children in need. The CASA organization is delighted to see the trend of giving by these two young women and all KYLA members.
The luncheon’s program was ultimately meant to recognize the commitment and selflessness of CASA volunteers. To help show appreciation for their efforts, volunteers were given a musical performance by Tom Hall and two WCHS students who sang “Go the Distance” from Disney’s “Hercules.”
The mission of CASA, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence, and have the opportunity to thrive.
CASA programs support volunteers serving children. The role of local CASA programs is to recruit, train and support volunteers in their work with abused children.
For more information on how to become a CASA volunteer, visit www.casachildren.com or call 574-372-2401.
