By JOHN EBY
Niles Daily Star

CASSOPOLIS – Cass County Court-Appointed Special Advocates’ fourth annual CASAblanca returns to Southwestern Michigan College’s Mathews Conference Center with food vendors who made it a “big-time” event in 2009.

Director Jim Ward said recently that SMC “provided a different venue altogether” that could accommodate more than 200 people and help his independent organization net $38,000 with its only fundraiser while providing participants a fun time.

CASAblanca takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and includes food and entertainment by the Dylan Brothers. For tickets, which cost $40, call 445-4431. There will be a cash bar.

CASA, which operates with 1 1/2 paid positions and 20 volunteers under the oversight of a 13-member board, is seeing federal support dry up from $15 million to $10 million for 1,100 programs.