Copyright © Better Community News 2012.

909 S. Townsend Ave.     |     Montrose, CO 81401     |     (970) 573-NEWS (6397)

Montrose, Delta, Grand Junction, Western Colorado, Ridgway, Ouray, Telluride, Paonia, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Gunnison, Norwood, Naturita, North Fork

CASA of the 7th Judicial District (Court Appointed Special Advocates - a.k.a. CASA) will host their “Ray of Hope Annual Benefit” on Saturday, April 12th at the Montrose Pavilion. There have been some changes since the detailed planning for this event has begun. The public is invited to participate in a small carnival of games from 5:00pm – 6:15pm just prior to the dinner. The games will include non-motorized mini bike races, flying socket monkey target shoot, ping pong ball toss, etc. Prizes for these games have been collected from throughout the CASA 7th Judicial District area of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel Counties.

CASA holds its annual fund raising benefit during National Child Abuse Awareness month to reinforce the importance of their services. This year’s Ray of Hope benefit will focus on “Remembering the Child.” The evening’s activities will help take us back to when we were children and at the same time remind us that the many children that CASA serves never get to be child-like.  Fund-raising highlights during the dinner will include the “Dessert Dash” and a live auction for great items collected from throughout the 7th Judicial District including overnight get-a-ways and gasoline cards. The Dessert Dash will feature whimsical specialty desserts created by restaurants, bakeries and pastry chefs throughout the 7th Judicial District. Each table selects its own “dasher” to choose a dessert. The table with the highest bid has the first chance to choose a dessert with the second highest bid being called seconds later, and so on.   

CASA is seeking sponsors for this event. Sponsorship packages are available at levels to meet a variety of budgets. Tickets are $60 per person or $550 for a reserved “Table of 10 Friends.” The event has limited seating and has sold out in all prior years as attendees come from throughout the 7th Judicial District. To sponsor, attend, volunteer or donate to this event, call CASA at (970)249-0337.

CASA serves abused and neglected kids from throughout the 7th Judicial District who have been removed from their homes and find themselves in the courts and child welfare system through no fault of their own. Karen Tuttle, CASA Executive Director, reminds us that “it is vital that our communities come together and take care of our own, most vulnerable population – our children. We must also support and celebrate the success of our own CASA program.”

CASA is affiliated with the National CASA Association and CASA in Colorado. CASA’s mission is to “help break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, and to advocate for safe, permanent, nurturing g home for children, utilizing highly trained and dedicated volunteers.” CASA volunteers undergo extensive training prior to working with any children. CASA volunteers are given direction from the presiding judge to act as a child’s advocate. They provide formalized observations and written recommendations to the court to assist in the complex decision-making process directly affecting the child. Sadly, the need for CASA volunteers is growing each year. For more information about CASA, becoming a CASA volunteer, or to support the CASA program call (970)249-0337.

When Monkeys Fly

By Susan Bony