An event May 29 at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds featuring a dinner served by local law enforcement and a concert with a Nashville-based musician will benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
“Justice IS Served!” begins with dinner from 6:30-8 p.m., and the concert with singer, songwriter and guitarist Michael Connors will be from 8-10 p.m.
Sponsorships are being solicited for the fundraiser dinner from $15-500. Tickets are $50 per person, including the dinner and concert. Tickets for attending only the concert are $25 for VIP seating, while general admission is $15. Businesses or individuals may sponsor a table.
CASA is a national not-for-profit organization of volunteers who are appointed by judges to speak for the safety and well-being of abused and neglected children. “Justice IS Served!” is the organization’s main fundraiser. This is the first time Texas County has participated and the fifth year for Phelps County.
“We have children on the waiting list to receive a CASA volunteer,” said Emma Brent, CASA board treasurer. “We need more volunteers.”
Founded in 2005, CASA of South Central Missouri has served more than 600 children. There were 142 children served by 59 volunteers last year in the 25th Judicial Circuit that covers Texas, Phelps, Pulaski and Maries counties. Volunteers totaled more than 1,296 hours in direct contact with the children and 4,219 hours of casework.
“I just want to make a difference in a child’s life and I know that happens with CASA,” said volunteer Bob McClain. “I first heard about CASA eight years ago when I met a fellow patient in the hospital who told me how valuable CASA really is.”
McClain said he realized that maybe that was something he could do in the future, and he has now been a CASA volunteer for about six months.
“The training was excellent,” he said. “When we moved back to Rolla, the first person I met at church was a CASA volunteer. I knew that was where I could contribute, and it has been extremely rewarding.”
For more information about “Justice IS Served!” sponsorships, reservations or donations, call CASA volunteer coordinator Leigh Ann Sigman at 573-426-5437 or email casavol@fidmail.com. CASA’s web address is www.casascmo.org.