CASA to host annual auction fundraiser
Published 10:02 am Thursday, June 6, 2019
CASSOPOLIS — Those looking to have a fun filled night while helping out a good cause will now have a chance.
The Cass County Court Appointed Special Advocates for children will be hosting its 13th annual dinner and auction at 6 p.m. Friday June 28 at Our Lady of the Lake Social Hall, 24832 US-12 E. in Edwardsburg.
Tickets for the event are $75 and include a raffle, live auction, open bar, margaritas, appetizers and dinner buffet. Those wanting to attend need to RSVP by June 10 by calling (269) 445-4431.
“Our annual auction supports 50 percent of our annual budget. A big portion goes back to our CASA advocates in supporting the children that they work with. We are also able to send a good portion of our volunteers and staff to the annual state CASA conference,” said Erica Boulanger, executive director for Cass County CASA. “This year we are moving the auction back to Our Lady of the Lake. It will be a great night of good food and entertainment by our auctioneer, Jim Miller. This year’s auction will consist of eight live items, $1 to $50 raffle winner’s choice, $10 raffle item.”
The eight raffle items are:
• 100 bottles of craft beer, which includes $50 gift card to Sliver Beach Pizza, $25 for Indian Lake Pub, 100 bottles of craft beer, glasses
• Wine, wine and more wine, which includes 40 to 50 bottles of red, white and sparkling wine, Koldfront 18 bottle dual zone freestanding thermoelectric wine cooler and Tabor Hill wine tasting for ten guests.
• Four tickets and four sideline passes to two MSU football games, which includes a $100 gift card for the tailgate, and an autographed item.
• Four season opener tickets to Notre Dame vs. New Mexico, which includes four tailgate passes to Notre Dame tailgate.
• Mackinaw Island Getaway which includes two nights at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island
• River House on the Au Sable, which includes four nights at a four bedroom, three-bathroom house on the Au Sable River and a $100 gift card to Ray’s BBQ in Grayling, Michigan
• Progressive Dinner and Cruise on Diamond Lake for ten people
• Eagle Lake Pontoon Cruise for 10 people
• Call to the Heart
“The call to heart is where we have a five or so minute speaker. Usually the speaker is a family or a CASA child that speaks on how CASA has assisted them. We then start with dollar amounts ranging from 2500-5000 dollars. This is usually our highest priced item (years past range from 10,000 to over 25,000 dollars),” Boulanger said.
CASA’s mission is to change the future for children in foster care, Boulanger said. The Cass County CASA program provides court-appointed special advocates who are the voice for abused and neglected children in child protective proceedings.
“We advocate for children in Cass County who are placed in foster care due to abuse and neglect. Our advocates speak on the children’s behalf to find a safe permanent home as quickly as possible. We currently have 22 volunteers who advocate for 22 children,” Boulanger said.
Those interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or a board member or have questions about the auction, contact Erica Boulanger at (269) 445-4431 or email casscocasa2@yahoo.com.