BYRON – On Saturday, March 5 Uptown Lanes hosted the Old Forrester Distilling Co., as a fundraiser for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in cooperation with the Byron Lions Club.
Participants Tasted their way through the History of Whiskey in order to raise money for CASA- 15th Judicial Circuit. Together, the Byron Lions and Uptown Lanes were able to present a check for $5,200 to support the work of CASA.
CASA - 15th Judicial Circuit is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that speaks for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system in Lee, Ogle, and Carroll Counties. CASA volunteers are men and women who want to help their community's children. A CASA volunteer is screened, trained and then are appointed by the judge as the Guardian ad Litem for these children. Volunteers, appointed to one case at a time, review records, interview parents and speak with all parties directly related to the case, most importantly, the child. CASA volunteers then appear in court to recommend to the judge the actions and services that meet that particular child's needs at that particular moment in his or her life and for the child's future.
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. All it takes is a desire to help children and the dedication to stay involved for the life of a case (approximately 24 months). It takes objectivity, communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to respectfully work with a variety of people.
Caption – Becca Ketter, President of the CASA Board of Directors, accepts a check from Blake Horras from Uptown Lanes and from the Byron Lions: Sean Hoesseini, Jason Ketter, and Jeff Billeter
