Cass County Court Appointed Special Advocates for children hosted its 11th annual dinner and auction June 23, at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Edwardsburg.

Auction chairs this year were Denise Wierman and Beth Cripe, with assistance from the CASA board, volunteer advocates and staff. More than 150 supporters attended this year’s event.

A Friends of CASA reception hosted by the Honorable Susan L. Dobrich preceded the dinner and auction, and was hosted in the church’s reception area. Beer and wine selections were again donated by KB Village Express, Phillips 66 in Cassopolis.

Following a brief presentation, including recognition of the retirement of Jim Ward, CASA program director for the past nine years, attendees moved into the church’s social hall where a prime rib and chicken dinner was provided by Faulkner’s Catering.

Following dinner, motivational speaker Giovan Bazan spoke about his experience in the foster care system and emphasized the importance of loving and caring adults such as the CASA volunteers who provide non-judgmental support to foster children as they move through the system.

After the presentation, auctioneer Jim Miller began the bidding on a total of 10 items, encourage the auction attendees’ participation in the “call to the heart” donations and ended the evening with the drawing of the winning raffle ticket for one of three luxury trips.

This year’s fundraiser was deemed a success with net income in excess of $55,000.

The CASA Board would like to thank everyone who participated in this successful event. Members appreciate the generosity of our community and their willingness to support their cause.

The Cass County CASA was started by Dobrich 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 Ella Ryder at (269) 445-4431, casscocasa1@yahoo.com, or visit casscocasa.org.