Boone County CASA holds flapjack fundraiser

By Anne Eickstadt

REPORTER

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Boone County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) hosted a flapjack fundraiser at Applebee’s Restaurant, located at 2126 Gateway Center Dr. in Belvidere from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tickets were $5 per person, which included pancakes, bacon, and a drink.

The Boone County CASA Program is a nonprofit organization which trains and supports volunteers to speak and act as advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children, oftentimes the most vulnerable children in the community.

“To give a child a CASA is to give them hope and to give them hope is to give them the world,” a former foster child said.

Boone County board member Carl Larson brought his family to Applebee’s to support CASA and the children they serve.

“We are hoping for a good turnout, at least 80 to 90 people,” CASA Executive Director Charlotte Meier said. “We are here to raise funds to support our main goal which is to continue to advocate for all the abused and neglected children in Boone County. We currently serve 60 children. In past years, we have served well over 80. We are also hoping to spread the word about CASA and the kids that we serve. We currently have 27 advocates. All are assigned to one child or one family. That might mean one child or four children. We try our best to match personalities and situations so no one is overburdened. We are always looking for more people to act as advocates. To become an advocate, you have to be at least 21-years-old, pass a background check with fingerprinting, and provide your own transportation. Training sessions start at the end of March so now is a good time to contact the office and fill out an application.”

Training consists of a 30 hour program after being sworn in. Advocates are then required to earn 12 continuing education credit hours each year. That way they can keep up with any changes in the system and be the spokespeople that the children need.

For more information on CASA, visit: www.boonecountycasa.org or call (815) 547-6599.