CASA event celebrates volunteers for abused, neglected children

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception, hosted by CASA Staff and Board Members, was held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Angel Oaks Event Center in The Woodlands.

CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County provides and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children largely due to their core team of more than 250 volunteers, including Advocates for children in foster care, fundraising event chairs and committee members, and others. These individuals give of their time and talent to support CASA's mission of continuing to provide an Advocate for every child in need in Montgomery County.

The more than 130 event attendees were welcomed by CASA Executive Director, Ann McAlpin, and CASA Board Member, Bob Evans. Case Supervisor, Laura Rodriguez, presented the Advocate of the Year award to Kenneth Gibson. Case Supervisors, Jennifer Reitmeyer and Mandy Stegint, recognized the Rookie Advocates of the Year, Kathy Butler and Ron Finch. Ten-year service awards were announced for Advocates Susan Balette and Laurie Schoepf.

Program Director, Marilyn McQueeney, and Case Supervisor, Gwen Box, provided a moving, in-memoriam tribute to Advocates Donna Pearshall and Patty Spahr, both of whom served countless children during their volunteer tenure and are greatly missed by their CASA family.

CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County would like to thank Rudy’s Texas Bar-B- Q for donating the meal and Trader Joe’s for their donation of the florals for the centerpieces.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children who have been removed from their parents and are under the Court's jurisdiction. Currently, more than 6 children enter the foster care system in Montgomery County every week. CASA Child Advocates is presently able to provide volunteer Advocates for 100% of children in foster care in the county. For the past 26 years, CASA has been training volunteers, raising awareness in the community, and working to stop the cycle of child abuse in Montgomery County.

For more information about CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County, visit the website at www.CASASpeaks4Kids.com or call (936)441-5437.

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