A Night in Black and White: CASA to Host Masquerade Fundraiser Dinner Sept 11

Get ready to pull out your slickest black and white attire because CASA of Washington County will hold its third annual fundraiser dinner next Friday, September 11, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Cornerstone Chapel & Celebration Center, 1101 N Jim Day Rd, Salem.

This year’s theme is “A Night in Black & White: Behind the Mask.” Tickets are $30 and include dinner and entertainment. Ages 16 and older are welcome, and all proceeds benefit CASA of Washington County.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate, and the program was created in 1987 to give abused and neglected children a voice in court through the aid of volunteers. Executive Director Tabatha McLain said they are funded by grants and donations, and that this is now the main fundraiser.

“When I became the director, I realized that our community didn’t really know a lot about CASA,” McLain said. “The masquerade has been our one and only huge fundraiser. This is the third one, and so far I’m so excited because it seems like this is going to be the best. It keeps getting better every year.”

In previous years, volunteers prepared all the food, and they did not pay for a venue. This year, CASA reserved Cornerstone Chapel & Celebration Center, hired a caterer, booked a band and added a printed program for the first time.

Dinner will be catered by Darlena Knapp, Presteege Worldwyde will provide live music and McLain said Heart & Homestead Photography will be snapping shots throughout the evening.

In addition to dinner and music, those planning to attend can expect guest speakers, a silent auction and raffle. Notably, McLain has invited Judge Medlock to speak. She said he spoke at the first fundraiser dinner and is considering it this year. She also plans to recognize CASA volunteers.

McLain said black and white was chosen because it is simple and elegant, and because it reflects the lives of children who enter the foster system.

“It’s dark. It’s light,” she said. “It represents foster children’s lives when they come into the system. It’s very dark. Sometimes it turns to light, and sometimes it takes a long time.”

Two years ago, the theme was storybook heroes. McLain said a foster child’s life can look like either a villain’s story or a hero’s story, and that removal from home is not always the end of hardship.

CASA volunteers are appointed by the court, and they are not paid by the court or by parents. McLain said volunteers investigate the case, listen to the child, and report to the court both what the child wants and what the volunteer believes is in the child’s best interest.

“DCS has an attorney. Parents have an attorney. We are not attorneys, but we are the voice for that child when they go to court,” she said. “We are also often the only consistent connection that they have, because DCS case managers come and go, service providers come and go. Sometimes foster parents come and go. We try to keep the same volunteer throughout the whole case.”

She added that volunteers stay with a child until the case reaches permanency, whether that is reunification, adoption or guardianship. They are tasked with visiting the child at least once every 30 days.

McLain said CASA still needs more volunteers. Applicants must be at least 21 and pass DCS and criminal background checks. Training is provided, so there is no need for prior experience, and trained staff stay with new volunteers throughout their first case. She said people who cannot take on a full advocacy role can still help with visits and other support.

If you are interested in joining in on the masquerade to support a wonderful cause, you need to act fast. McLain stated ticket sales are already at roughly 120, and they have approximately 200 total seats. She then added that sponsorships are still available.

First Harrison Bank is listed as a silver sponsor, and White House Realty, Roger Pennington, Claude Combs, Angie Wilson “Queen of Taxes,” Fatima Scott, Wayne Blevins, Marshall monuments and Verizon TCC are table sponsors. Silent auction donors listed include Rosanne Quatroke, Titan Tint & Graphics, the Cincinnati Reds, Wilstem Wildlife Park, Kentucky Kingdom, Heather Nale, Desiree Prater, Fatima Scott, Ed Stempowski, and “everyone who has donated items to support our cause!”

Gun fans will also be excited to hear that CASA will be raffling a new Taurus G3c handgun with a case, holster, and three 12-round magazines. Raffle tickets are $1 each, or six for $5. Buyers must be 21 or older and Indiana residents. McLain stated CASA obtained the gaming license required for the drawing. The exempt event activity notification is on file with the Commission.

Tickets, sponsorships and volunteer applications are available at casawc.org, or you can visit CASA of Washington County at 801 Jackson Street, Suite 141, Salem. They are also available by phone at 812-883-2190.

Come out on September 11 for a fun evening in support of a great volunteer organization!