July 2009 - 5th Annual Lawyers for Kids 5K Run

The weather was perfect. Over 500 runners, walkers and children at the Kid's Gallop set new records for time, endurance and having fun. The energy and enthusiasm of our CASA Board, Staff and Volunteers made the evening a huge success. Special thanks to the Team from the Morris County Bar Foundation who dedicate this event to help make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children in our community. Thank you to all of our volunteers who were there to register participants, distribute drinks and snacks, guide the runners through the course and cheer everyone on. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the CASA organization. The best part of the evening was seeing our CASA volunteer Advocate, Michelle Decker running with Laura, her CASA child-- now teenager. This is what CASA is all about!

August 2009 - CASA Golf Outing

This year's golf outing, scheduled for June 18th, was postponed because of rain (like everything else in June, it seems,) but ended up as a big success on July 14th, an absolutely spectacular day for our most important fund raiser of the year. The day's events began with a barbecue luncheon followed by golf and later a cocktail buffet and awards and prizes. Participants included Advocates from Sussex and Morris Counties, as well as a number of current and past members of the Board of Trustees and the Sussex Advisory Board, as well as friends and supporters of CASA.

Men's low gross winner was Michael Cacciaguida with Tom Litteer of our Sussex Advisory Board winning low net. Women's low gross winner was Tammy Case of our Sussex Advisory Board, and Thelma Newman, a Board member and former volunteer, won low net.

We cannot thank enough our major supporters without whom we could not have held this event:

• Wakefern Food Corporation, our wonderful event sponsor for the 15th time
• Nisivoccia and Company, LLP -- Certified Public Accountants -- our golf sponsor
• Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, PC -- Attorneys at Law -- our cocktail and buffet sponsor

Other key sponsors included Hi-Temp Specialty Metals, Ocean First Bank, Chester Lions Club, Phil's Foreign Car Service, Wachovia Securities, Garlic and Oil, J. Thomas Jewelers, STS Tire and Auto of Newton, Newton Memorial Hospital, The Park Avenue Club and Robson Forensics.

In addition we would like to thank all the other individuals and businesses who supported this event along with our committee, Tammy Case, Dick Moore, Tom Curtin, Susan Kates and Thelma Newman; and, the volunteers who made it all work: Lisa Firkser, Barbara Karg, Milton Koffs, Gerry Hanifan, Pat Nolan, John Ryan, Marcy Thompson and Debbie West.

Golfers: Allen Langjahr, Tammy Case, Thelma Newman and John Newman. Tammy and Thelma won Low Gross and Low Net respectively.

Bill Krais, our buffet sponsor from Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, hits his drive.

Trustee Nick Sarinelli, a Nisivoccia and Company golf sponsor shows excellent form as fellow Nisivoccia team member, Lisa Di Bartolo looks on

Dinner is served.

Executive Director Lisa Firkser and Trustee/Volunteer distributing raffle prizes.

April 2009 - CASA Morris/Sussex Welcomes Lisa Barsky Firsker as New Executive Director

The Board of trustees, staff and volunteers welcome Lisa Barsky Firkser, Ph.D. as our new Executive Director. She succeeds Barbara Ward, who served as CASA's Executive Director over a 14 year career, marked by many accomplishments on behalf of the abused and neglected children CASA serves. "Lisa will be a wonderful successor to Barbara, bringing great skills and experience in areas such as community outreach, in addition to her dedication to the needs of the children we serve" stated Board President Richard Moore.

Dr. Barsky Firkser joins CASA after an extensive career working to provide services for children with special needs. She has been a leader in directing programs in the Saint Barnabas Health Care System for almost 20 years and holds a doctorate degree in Rehabilitation from New York University. She has published numerous articles and research in professional journals and brings to CASA a wealth of experience and knowledge of non-profit organizations.

Lisa is a Trustee for Good Grief, Inc. and has a long career of advocating for children. She lives in Springfield with her husband and daughter.

PHOTO: Richard Moore, Board President, welcomes Dr. Lisa Barsky Firkser as the new Executive Director.

Top