To the editor:

Douglas County CASA would like to extend sincere thanks to those who supported this year’s Casa4CASA fund-raising effort. This year was special, as we collaborated on the creation of the playhouse with the students of Van Go JAMS. The house was part house, part play gym and all art. The images on the house were designed to please children, but also to evoke the feelings that CASA volunteers pass on to the children they serve, feelings of security, stability, warmth, and playfulness. The vivid artwork demonstrated a safe and happy childhood – something CASA volunteers work to help their children find. This year’s playhouse was won by the Morrisons, a family with two young boys who were ecstatic about their new playhouse.

The sole purpose of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is to recruit, train and supervise volunteers who work with abused and/or neglected children who have been removed from their homes. Many children in this situation face a confusing and destabilizing process before they can find a permanent home. A CASA volunteer’s job is to represent a child’s concerns in court and guide the child through the process of placement.

Casa4CASA 2005 was a great success thanks to the students of Van Go JAMS, builder Jan Schaake of Clovis Construction, the architects of Sabatini Architects Inc., corporate sponsors Capitol Federal Savings, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, P.A., Wal-Mart, Westar Energy, and the employees of The Merc, The Eldridge Hotel, members of the board, and a myriad of community volunteers and donors. We would like to thank all who support this important program.

Sarah Hill-Nelson, board president, Douglas County CASA