By Staff
The Cass County CASA fundraising cookouts were held at Magician Lake and Diamond Lake this August.
Over 150 people attended the cookouts.
On Aug. 11 Hank and Mary Ziemke opened their home to 65 local and summer residents of Magician Lake.
Cass County CASA President Nancy Smith thanked all the folks who picnicked at the water's edge for their generous donations. Smith introduced the Program Director of Cass County CASA, Lisa Schmidt, along with Attorney Referee of Cass County Family Court, Leigh Rogner.
Smith first thanked people for their generous financial support and encouraged them to give more than money by urging everyone to become a CASA volunteer.
One week later, Sue Pattillo of Diamond Lake entertained nearly 100 people at her home. Smith welcomed everyone and introduced the Honorable Susan Dobrich, Judge of the Cass County Family Court.
Dobrich explained that there are nearly 200 children in foster care in Cass County. She attributed this number to young single parents unprepared for all their responsibilities as well as the prevalence of "meth labs" in rural areas of the county resulting in prosecution of the adults of the house and removal of the children from their unsafe environment.
Dobrich said that her dream was to have a CASA volunteer for every child in foster care. She praised the current volunteers for providing a stable, concerned adult in the lives of these children and for advocating for them in court. She explained that CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates.
In addition to Dobrich and Rogner, State Representative Neal Nitz, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz, Penn Township Treasurer Paul Rutherford, Dowagiac Mayor Don Lyons and County Commissioners Ron Francis and Ed Goodman attended the cookouts.
The CASA volunteers and board members provided CASA's guests at both events with home made picnic treats to go along with CASA's traditional extra large hot dogs.
CASA is grateful to Hardings in Cassopolis, Felpausch, Nate Wines, Inc. and OK Distributing all of Dowagiac, Martins, Meijers, of Mishawaka, Walmart of both Niles and Mishawaka and Rick's Liquor Mart of Sister Lakes for sponsoring the CASA cookouts.
If you would like more information on the CASA Program please contact Schmidt at 269-445-4431 or via email at casscocasa@yahoo.com.