CASA playhouse raffle drawing this weekend

A fully decorated playhouse will be raffled this weekend as a fund-raiser for a Douglas County child-advocacy program.

The playhouse will be on display at the following places:

• 8 a.m. to noon today: the lawn between the Douglas County Courthouse and the Judicial & Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St.
• 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today: South Park Wading Pool.
• 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa.
• 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday: First Watch, 2540 Iowa.

Money raised through the raffle will go toward training and recruitment of additional volunteers for the Court Appointed Special Advocates program, known as CASA.

CASA volunteers work with children who are removed from homes because of abuse or neglect. They get to know the children, help ensure that their cases aren’t forgotten within the foster-care system and write reports for judges.

Fund drive continues with Big Pig Saturday

The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence is half way to its fund-raising goal.

After one month of the drive, the organization has received about $200,000. The club needs $400,000 to keep all of its after-school programs operating for the 2004-2005 school year.

The need for more funds comes as one of the organization’s grants expires.

Al Hack Jr., who is on the Boys & Girls Club’s board of directors, said the organization had received donations from the public and private institutions. Hack said participating families also were being asked to “increase their financial participation.”

The group’s main fund-raiser, The Big Pig, will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday on the lawn of the Meadowbrook apartments complex, 15th Street and Crestline Drive.

There will be live music, an auction and all-you-can-eat barbecue. Entry to The Big Pig costs $20.

Tickets are available at the Boys & Girls Club, 1520 Haskell Ave., American Family Insurance offices in Lawrence, and Lawrence Hy-Vee stores.

Bachelor auction raises $3,000 for agency

A charity auction of dates with eight eligible Lawrence bachelors raised more than $3,000 for a nonprofit organization that helps people who can’t afford health care.

Healthcare Access officials announced the tally at the end of the auction, which was Thursday night at J.B. Stouts Sports Bar & Grill, 721 Wakarusa Drive.

The men modeled and presented their plan for their date night. Among those auctioned off was Kevin Romary, 6News sports director, who brought a bid of $275.

Bachelor Nate Rahmeier was the top prize, selling for $1,050. Members of the Red Dog’s Dog Days organization purchased Rahmeier, who is a regular participant in the summer exercise program.