Playhouse raffle benefits CASA

Each year the creation of a single playhouse helps bring smiles to more than 100 children’s faces.

The Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocate’s annual fund-raiser, Casa for CASA, offers people chances to win a hand-crafted playhouse with donations of $1 or more. The money raised goes toward recruiting and maintaining program volunteers who will work directly with children.

Patterson Construction is building this year's CASA raffle prize. From left are Tony McComas and Pete Laufer, who are constructing a lighthouse-style playhouse for the CASA fund-raiser.

“It’s sad only one person is going to have (the house), but when you think of how many kids it’s going to help, it makes you excited,” said Connie Keeling, Douglas County CASA director.

CASA is an organization that coordinates volunteers to work with abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the court system.

Keeling said volunteers spent time with children to make them feel loved and appreciated. They also assess children’s living situations for judges so decisions can be made about children’s futures.

About 50 volunteers worked with 110 children through CASA during the past year. Members of the CASA board of directors hope to help more.

“When we raise money, we can recruit more volunteers and pay the office staff,” said Kelly Randall, a board member and Casa for CASA co-chairwoman. “That way we serve more children.”

Randall said without the fund-raiser now in its 11th year it would be extremely difficult for CASA to function. Last year’s event raised approximately $12,000, and Randall said the board hoped this year it would raise $15,000.

Not just a playhouseThe Casa for CASA fund-raiser will be accepting donations at the Wal-Mart parking lot, 3300 Iowa, today through Sunday.The drawing will be at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Recipient need not be present to win. Tickets are available for a suggested $1 donation.

CASA asks a different local builder to construct a house each year, Keeling said.

“The builders are very dedicated,” she said. “It’s not a small donation on their part. We couldn’t do it without the builder.”

This year Jay Patterson of Patterson Construction volunteered to create a house. Architect Mark Russell’s design is in the shape of a lighthouse.

Randall said both men were dedicated to the project.

“(Patterson) has been so organized and completely meticulous as a builder. … The builder is the center of the fund-raiser, and he’s been great,” Randall said.

This year’s house will be 8 feet wide, 8 feet deep and 12 feet tall.

Keeling said she enjoyed planning the fund-raiser.

“The playhouse reminds you of being a kid,” Keeling said. “People come up and say, ‘I never had anything like that.'”

Randall said a playhouse was the perfect item on which to center a CASA fund-raiser.

“It’s the heart of what kids love,” she said.