CASA Event Raises More Than $487,000 for Abused/Neglected Children

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The 24 th Annual CASA Speaks for Kids Gala was held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Almost 600 guests filled the Grand Ballroom this year. Presented by Huntsman Corporation, the annual event benefits children in foster care through CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County.

The theme for the Gala was “A Million Dreams”. CASA Executive Director, Ann McAlpin, explained the theme chosen for the annual fundraiser helps generate a celebratory atmosphere while drawing attention to a very serious cause. 'The Gala is truly a party with a purpose,” McAlpin explains, “We are stepping forward to help abused and neglected children in Montgomery County reach for their dreams.'

The highlight of the evening was the Fund-a-Child presentation, which featured CASA Advocate, Cindy Garza, and three children she advocated for during their time in foster care and through to their joyful adoptions.

2019 CASA Gala Chair, Lindsay Miller, and the committee worked for almost a year to pull together a night to remember. Miller, who is also a volunteer CASA Advocate, was honored for her efforts by CASA Board Chair, Judy Olson.

The event showcased a variety of crowd-pleasing games including a wine pull, Kendra Scott jewelry pull, and a raffle for a Marco Bicego diamond pendant and earring set courtesy of Thomas Markle Jewelers. Back by popular demand, Patrick Tully served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer with support from Ky Bishop of Strike LLC, Olson, and McAlpin. This year’s event also included a moving performance by College Park Rhythm n’ Blue Choir with soloist, Olivia Labonski, as well as an after party featuring exciting, crowd-interactive entertainment provided by The Killer Dueling Pianos.

Proceeds raised at the Gala benefit CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County. It costs approximately $1,500 to provide a volunteer Advocate for one abused or neglected child for one year. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) speak up for the best interest of children who have been removed from their home and are under the Court's jurisdiction. CASA’s goal is to continue to provide a court-appointed volunteer to serve as Guardian ad Litem for every child in the foster care system, and to break the cycle of abuse. For the past 27 years, CASA has been training volunteers, raising awareness in the community, and working to stop the cycle of child abuse in Montgomery County.

'The efforts that our CASA volunteers put forth on a daily basis is just amazing. They step up and serve as the voice for children whose future is uncertain, and they are making a difference, one child at a time.' McAlpin explains, 'Currently, more than 7 children enter foster care in Montgomery every week. Proceeds from this single event will help CASA provide more than 325 abused and neglected children with Advocates this year.'

The event’s featured sponsors include Presenting Sponsor-Huntsman Corporation; Visionary Sponsors-The Watford Foundation: Michael and Carol Watford; Champion Sponsors-EnerCorp Sand Solutions, and The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center; Leader Sponsors-Bayside Printing Company, Kroger, Northside Lexus, and TETRA Technologies, Inc.; and Insider Sponsors-Anadarko Petroleum, Deloitte, George and Kristi Lindahl and Thomas and Doris Seitz-McKinsey & Company.

For more information about CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County, the 2019 CASA Speaks for Kids Gala, visit the website at www.CASASpeaks4Kids.com or call (936) 441-5437.

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