Cass County CASA board presents program update, invites volunteers and announces June fundraiser

Board members from Cass County CASA presented to the Cass County Board of Commissioners about the organization’s volunteer advocacy for children in foster care and invited commissioners and residents to upcoming events.

A prerecorded message from Patty Sabin, outgoing president and CEO of Michigan CASA, described CASA as “the purest form of advocacy in the state of Michigan for our children,” and said the program’s only agenda is “that child.”

Local CASA leaders told commissioners they have one paid staff member, executive director Erica Bollinger, and rely on volunteers for advocacy and board operations. Jeff Robinson, a retired teacher and new CASA volunteer, invited commissioners and the public to an office reception in April at the annex first floor space formerly occupied by the Veterans Affairs office; the meeting transcript did not specify an exact April date. Robinson and other board members also promoted CASA’s annual fundraising event scheduled for June; a later comment by a commissioner identified the CASA event as June 13.

Secretary Sue Heinrich said the program is staffed mostly by volunteers and is actively recruiting board members and advocates. The board noted a raffle ticket price of $25 and described the raffle’s premier item as an 88-ounce professional “Ninja” slushie machine (described in the meeting as a slushie machine prize). The board also said CASA organizes holiday assistance for families in guardianship cases and that judges and court staff attend CASA board meetings.

Commissioners thanked the CASA representatives and several commissioners encouraged attendance at the June event. CASA board members left flyers and raffle tickets for sale at the meeting and said they welcome financial contributions and volunteer applications via their website and social media.