January, 2010
"Thanks to You" Appreciation
Over 80 volunteer advocates, board members, key supporters and their guests gathered at Outback Steakhouse at the Legends on December 10th for the annual appreciation and recognition luncheon. Board President Maggie Bessenbacher welcomed the attendees and offered special thanks to the volunteer advocates as well as their family members and employers for their support. Key supporters in attendance included John Knudsen, Wyandotte County Assistant District Attorney; Adam MacDonald of United Way of Wyandotte County; Glenn Frye of Performance Contracting Group; Sandy Ratterman of BATS Exchange; and Rev. Glenn Miles of Country Club Christian Church.
Program staff recognized the 2009 Work of Heart Volunteers for their exemplary advocacy efforts on behalf of CASA children. Awardees included Brenda Boehm, Dawn Cox, Carol Gallimore, Columbus Heard, Jennifer Jordan, Jan Maloney, Frank Neal, Linda Phillips, Sandy Ratterman, Meg Schimmels, Marty Swayze, and Jeri Uhlmansiek.
A Special Thanks Also Went to Long-time Volunteers:
The following volunteer advocates have served for 10 or more years. Rhonda Anthony, Don Blalock, Brenda Boehm, Theresa Bosch, George Corney, Jodi Dinkins, Judy Frye, Lenore Hammer, Tammy McCalla, Rachel Miller, Sheri Rice, Kristen Schultz. Your dedication and commitment to CASA children is an inspiration to all!
Melissa Fletcher and Shea Jennings, both of KVC Behavioral Healthcare, were presented with the Friends of CASA award for their collaboration and superior efforts to help children.
On behalf of the 407 children who benefited from a CASA volunteer advocate in 2009, CASA would like to thank all volunteers, board members, and donors who made this possible.
Thank You for Supporting CASA's Mission!
With the most challenging economy in recent times, we asked for your help and you responded!! With your support, our end-of-year Forgotten Children Campaign raised $34,750, exceeding our goal of $30,000 by the end of 2009! Click here for a special message from the Executive Director.
It's not too late to make a contribution to CASA's campaign. You may make a secure online donation, or mail your check to the CASA office.
Friends of CASA Kickoff Membership Session
CASA invites you to attend a social gathering as we launch the Friends of CASA auxiliary in celebration of 25 years of service to abused and neglected children. It is the commitment of supporters like you who have offered these children a voice and made a difference in their lives. Please join us and learn how you may enhance your support by becoming a Friends of CASA founding member. 
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.; program at 6:00 p.m.
The Jewish Community Center
Galleria Area/MAC Room (Theatre Entrance)
5801 W. 115th Street (115th & Nall)
Overland Park, KS 66211
To RSVP or with questions, please contact Alyssa Perbeck at 913.715.4035.
Will You Help Plan A Special Event?
CASA is building the 2010 Promise of Hope Event Committee. This luncheon event will be held on Thursday, April 8th in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. We need volunteers to help recruit table captains, find speakers and entertainment and help with event publicity. Your volunteer commitment will begin in January and run through April. Expect to meet once or twice a month. If you're able to help, please contact Alyssa Perbeck at 913.715.4035 or email alyssa.perbeck@jocogov.org.
One Company. One Child. Join the Club.
The "In Good Company" Club - Give Abused Children A Voice
Are you ready for a unique sponsorship opportunity? Something more than a one-night event? CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties invites you to participate in the "In Good Company" Club. This membership is our premier corporate opportunity for 2010 and is also the entry point for sponsorship of our popular fall benefit - the Hops & Barley Ball - which will be held at Boulevard Brewery on Friday, September 24, 2010.
The "In Good Company" Club offers the opportunity to become partners in the success of CASA while also providing the chance to bring positive change to the life of one or more children. By participating, your company will receive year-round benefits, including:
-
A company match to a CASA child with written progress updates
- Event sponsorship to the Hops & Barley Ball
- Participation at the 2010 Promise of Hope Luncheon
- Recognition in the Kansas City Business Journal
- Online marketing and e-communication
- Employee volunteer opportunities
To join, complete the membership commitment form. Join by February 15th to ensure participation in all 2010 member benefits. For more information, email Alyssa Perbeck or call 913.715.4035.
What a year for CASA! We are happy to report:
* CASA served 407 abused and neglected children in 2009
* 174 CASA volunteers provided services to 212 families
* CASA trained 67 new volunteer advocates in 2009;
a 37% increase over last year!
* A total of 359 court reports were submitted by CASA
volunteers
* Staff and volunteers attended 409 court hearings
* Our volunteers spent 15,404 hours advocating for children.
These volunteers also traveled 51,979 miles.
Our mission of advocating for children continues. Thank you for your support!
CASA Children Enjoy Holiday Party
The Holiday Spirit filled the air during our 2nd Annual Holiday Party for CASA children! This year over 140 guests were treated to a fun and festive time by 35 volunteer ‘Santa's Helpers' at the Shiloh Community Church of Shawnee, Kansas.
Laughter and joy filled the rooms as Santa (CASA volunteer Mike Brazda) and Mrs. Claus (CASA volunteer Amy Eslinger) greeted each child with a special gift and candy. Of course, getting a picture with Santa was also a favorite. The children were treated to festive, fun-filled games and activities. Not to mention all of the pizza, hotdogs, chips and cupcakes you could eat!
CASA sends a HUGE heartfelt thank you to the many volunteers who assisted with planning, invitations, bought gifts, cookies, cupcakes, pop, decorated and volunteered at the party. Thank you to Dan Oswald at Papa John's Pizza for donating pizzas, Jan Maloney for donating all the pop, Mary Best for the cupcakes and a special thank you to Pastor Marion E. Ray and Camille Ray and the entire Shiloh Community Church family for donating the building and volunteering before and after the event.
A big thank to the following, we couldn't have done this without all these volunteers: Mike Brazda, Amy & Mark Eslinger, Jan Maloney, Nina Westvold, Karen Cotter, Di Topjon, Aida Dougherty, Mary Best, Michele Freese and children Jaelyn, Jamison, MacKensi and Mason, Shereill Bradford, Jan Valencia, Brianne Maslus, Mandy Lewandowski, Karla Ezell, Joanne Denton, Nina & TJ Kimbrough, Aaron Weathers, Ballard Yeates, Lori Farrell, Jim & Marsha Killian, Lois Rice, Eileen Hainline, Shelly Nemeth, Sandy Ratterman, Brittany Heiling, Johnetta & Paige Hinson, Alli Eskina, Kaylin Thomas, Caroline Befort, Susan McCurdy, Taylor Schoenborn, Lauren Merino-Brammell, Sheri Potter, Mattel Toys, Hallmark, Bro. Carvin, Pastor Marion and Camille Ray, Shiloh Community Church. And to the many donors, sponsors and friends who worked behind the scenes.
Santa's Wish List - A HUGE SUCCESS
This year's Santa's Wish List, Adopt-A-CASA Project was another HUGE success!! Not only were the children treated to lots of fun at the holiday party, CASA donors filled our offices with hundreds of wonderful gifts for the children. Brightly colored packages packed the CASA office creating another festive ‘Santa's Workshop' again this year. There were bikes, balls, dolls, remote control cars and planes, Ipods, stockings, stocking stuffers and many other wrapped packages flowing into our offices daily. Because of the many individuals, organizations and companies, over 185 children had wonderful gifts to open for the holidays!
Thank you to the many CASA Volunteers and our CASA friends who donated many hours buying, wrapping, sorting and delivering gifts. Your generosity helped to make this holiday very special and memorable for so many children.
A big ‘Thank You' to all of Santa's Helpers including: Jr. League of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties, Susan Hetrick; Monticello United Methodist Church, Judy Frye & Janet Williams; Kappa Alpha Theta; Performance Contracting Group (PCG), Kerri Glidewell and Barb Hendricks; RBC Wealth Management, Lori Farrell; Delta Dental, Jim Davis; QC Holdings, Erica Cockrell; Webco Manufacturing, Whitney Fuller; Tru Home Solutions, Jan Valencia; American Century, Nina Westvold; Mandy Lawandowski; City of Merriam, Kesone Bouvilom; Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center, Melissa Bosch; K.C. Homes & Garden Magazine, Brook Pearl; Frank & Ann Neal; Mary Kobe-Peterson & family, Traci Haskins & family, Amy Eslinger & family, Shelle & Dan Jensen, Tobi O'Brien & family, Jim Jones & family, Gary Kanneberg & family, Kaye Young & family, Penny Shanklin, Patrick Murphy, Karen Cooper, Karen Cotter, Emily Winkleman, Lori and Elizabeth Buchele (pictured) & MOPS Moms Group, Holly Manning & Mid-America Nazarene Church Moms Group, Nicole Churchhill, Kevin Howard, Wal-Mart, and the many on-line donors who made this effort a success!
|
2010 |
|||
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Description |
| Conversation With CASA |
Jan. 14th
Feb. 11th |
CASA Office | An informational session to provide community with better understanding of CASA's mission. Click here to RSVP. |
| Monthly Discussion Groups for CASA Volunteers | |||
| EVENING Coffee Shop Discussion |
Jan. 11th 5:30 - 7:00 pm |
CASA Office | Discuss individual CASA cases; assess successful techniques and learn from mistakes. Click here to RSVP. |
| DAY TIME Coffee Shop Discussion |
Jan. 27th 9:30 - 11:00 am |
CASA Office | Discuss individual CASA cases; assess successful techniques and learn from mistakes. Click here to RSVP. |
CASA offers this free monthly e-newsletter to keep friends up-to-date with success stories, events, volunteer opportunities and progress. Feel free to forward this information to other interested people.
In This Issue
News for CASA Volunteers
Make a Life Long
Difference for a Child.
Visit our Website:
www.casajwc.org
Thank You!
Forward this message to a friend | 913.715.4040 | Privacy Statement