CASA Uncorked to benefit child advocacy volunteers

The North Idaho Court Appointed Special Advocate program invites the community to attend the second "CASA Uncorked," a benefit to help support volunteers, who are vital to the organization.

The fundraiser will take place Oct. 30 from 6-9 p.m. at the Hagadone Event Center, 900 Floating Green Drive, Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at www.northidahocasa.com. All proceeds will benefit North Idaho CASA. Ticket-holders will enjoy three glasses of wine or beer, hors d'oeuvres, and entertainment from master guitarist Steven King. There will be an auction, including the raffle of a Henry Golden .22 rifle.

North Idaho CASA works to recruit, train and support citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities.

"Every child deserves the chance to grow and thrive in a supportive, loving environment and perhaps it's something that many of us can take for granted," said CASA board member Jean Carper.

The local organization has 97 CASA volunteers who have served more than 369 children so far this year.

CASA's Director of Development, Hilary Hoffman, explains that many times, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in a child's life until his or her case is resolved.

Volunteers donate their time to complete investigations, write reports for court hearings, visit each child regularly, encourage services the child may require, and work with various government agencies involved in a child-protection case.

"They advocate for children until the case is resolved and a safe and permanent home has been established for them," Hoffman said. "Because of volunteer dedication to protecting the most vulnerable segment of our society, children who have been abused or neglected have a voice in the court system when they would otherwise be voiceless."

Although CASA is appointed by the court, only one-third of funding for CASA comes from the state of Idaho. The remainder of the cost to recruit, train, and support CASA volunteers must be raised through grants and donations.

"There is no greater reward than knowing you have made an impact on a child and perhaps even helped pave the way for them to have a brighter future," Carper said. "But we cannot continue this great work without the support of our amazing community."