Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) hosted its ninth annual dinner and auction Friday, June 26, at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Edwardsburg.

Auction chairs this year were Pat Eustice, Nancy Krempec and Leslie Paul, with assistance from the CASA board, volunteer advocates, and staff. Two hundred people attended this year’s event. A prime rib and broasted chicken dinner was catered by Faulkner’s Catering. Beer and wine was donated by KB Village Express, Phillips 66 in Cassopolis. The program was held in the church’s social hall.

An optional Friends of CASA reception with The Honorable Susan L. Dobrich was featured prior to the start of the main event. This year’s auction featured 10 live items, one raffle, and the “call to the heart,” pure donations to help the program train new volunteers to be a voice for abused and neglected children in foster care.

This year’s fundraiser was very successful with net income of $55,000. Judge Dobrich talked about a recent CASA case, the importance of a CASA voice for a child, and the huge need for additional advocates. Special guest, Amber, and her advocate Nancy Krempec, who have been together for six years, talked about her past but more importantly her future plans to attend Lake Michigan College this fall studying criminal justice, then on to MSU for a bachelor’s degree in forensic anthropology.

Revealing the details of a difficult life in front of 200 people is never easy, let alone for a young woman just graduating high school. CASA advocates give children like Amber a caring adult to turn to in good times and bad.

The CASA Board thanked everyone who participated in this successful event and said they appreciate the generosity of the community and its willingness to support such a worthy cause.

Cass County CASA was started by the in 1995. CASA is a nonprofit agency of trained volunteers from the community who are appointed by the judge to advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care.

People interested in learning more about being a volunteer advocate or a board member should contact Director Jim Ward at 269-445-4431, casscocasa@yahoo.com, or visit their website at www.casscocasa.org.