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October 3, 2007 - Girl Scout Troop 2179 learns about and helps CASA.
The following article appeared in the Recorder Community Newspapers' Hanover Eagle and is reproduced here with permission.
Girl Scouts do more than sell cookies.
Troop 2179 learns about helping children in the community
Wednesday, October 3, 2007 3:17 PM EDT
MORRISTOWN – Girl Scout Troop 2179 is reaching out to help the community in a new and different way.
Instead of selling cookies, or just raising funds for their own activities, the girls in the troop are learning about other children who are not as fortunate as they are and are taking action to help those children.
In the past year, the dozen 10-year-old girls who make up Girl Scout Troop 2179 have learned about Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a nonprofit organization that advocates for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. The girls visited the program’s local office in Morristown, ran a toy drive over the Christmas holiday and sponsored a garage sale to benefit the organization.
CASA programs recruit and train community volunteers who advocate for children who have been removed from their homes by the Division of Youth and Family Services. Volunteers are trained to investigate the case and report to the family court as to the child’s circumstances and needs. Volunteers help to ensure that their assigned children get the services they need while moving as quickly as possible into a safe, permanent home.
Girl Scout Troop 2179 is part of the Morris Area Girl Scout Council and is run as a co-op by each of the girls’ families. Last year the girls chose to focus their efforts on helping the local CASA organization help children less fortunate than themselves. “It is a way to help other kids who don’t have really great families like we do,” said Rachel Kaufman, a troop member for two years.
Last year the girls learned more about how CASA helps abused and neglected children in Morris County. They created artwork for the CASA organization, collected and wrapped unused toys for the holidays and painted a mural to be hung in the CASA office.
On Sept. 29 the girls of Troop 2179 hosted a multi-family garage sale to benefit CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties. They not only collected items from their families and friends to sell at the garage sale, but made jewelry to sell as well.
In addition to Rachel, the girls of Troop 2179 include Emma Cary, Allison Ferrara, Lizzy Fruehling, Hanna Guenther, Colette Geraghty, Casey Hasenbein, Caroline Hersh, Allison Leung, Franky Torsiello and Abby Williams.
To find out more about CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, visit www.casa-mc.org or call (973) 656-4330.
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July 12, 2007 - 3rd Annual Lawyers for Kids 5K Race benefiting CASA drew more than 500 participants
With excellent weather contributing to the turnout, 411 registered runners completed this year's race sponsored by the Morris County Bar Foundation. Walkers and youngsters raised the total number of participants to more than 500.
Live musical entertainment was provided by Bob McAndrew, Brian Fruehling and the Imposters. The many giveaways included gift certificates from area restaurants and the Sneaker Factory in Millburn as well as gift baskets from vendors including Build a Basket.
Gloria Morales, CASA Advocate and “face painter” was the children’s very favorite event of the evening. Thanks to Gloria and her helpers more than 50 little faces were adorned with colorful flowers, stars, and/or squiggly lines.
Bill Krais, Chairperson of the 2007 Lawyers for Kids 5K event and a Principal in the law firm of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. (front) and Dick Moore, CASA's Board President (background) congratulated and handed out medals to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
Dick Moore, President of CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, Inc. expressed heartfelt appreciation and gratitude on behalf of CASA for the honor of being selected as the beneficiary of this event for each of the past several years.
Volunteers for this event included CASA trustees, staff, and advocates. Tasks included registering runners, field marshalling, operating water stops, food/snack distribution and providing cheers for the winners.
The above images were graciously provided by Paul Mecca of Tiger Paw Images. Additional photos of the race and associated activities may be found
here.
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June 12, 2007 - More than 50 golfers and guests at 13th Annual Golf Outing benefiting CASA
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Morris and Sussex Counties, Inc. (CASA) held its thirteenth annual golf outing at the Wild Turkey Golf Club in Hamburg on Tuesday, June 12th. More than 50 golfers and other guests participated in the event which included a barbeque luncheon and dinner as well as golf.
The primary supporters of the event included the Wakefern Food Corporation; Nisivoccia and Company, LLP, Certified Public Accountants of Newton and Randoph; Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, PC, Attorneys at Law; Peapack-Gladstone Bank and Selective Insurance Group of Branchville. Additional key supporters included the Pfizer Corporation, Sussex Bank and The Chester Lions Club.
Pictured are Kenneth Jasinkiewicz, CFO of the Wakefern Food Corporation with Barbara Ward, Executive Director, and Dominick J. Sarinelli, Principal of Nisivoccia and Company, LLP.
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May 3, 2007 - The Star-Ledger published an article about CASA
Under the headline "Advocates speak for those with smallest voices" The Star-Ledger covered the swearing-in of twenty new CASA volunteers by Family Court Judge Stephan C. Hansbury. The headline was based on Judge Hansbury's encouragement to the new volunteers, "You speak on someone's behalf ... you speak for those with the smallest voices." The article also featured comments by Barbara Ward, Executive Director, Mindy Leonardelli, a Senior Case Supervisor and Debby Fryer, a newly sworn-in volunteer. According to the article, Debby saw it as "a chance to give back" but thought that at 74 she would be too old for the program.
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May 2, 2007 - Ellyn Schoenfeld Honored at United Way of Morris County's Mentoring Celebration
Ellyn was selected by the Case Supervisors in the Morris County CASA office to be recognized for her outstanding work as a CASA volunteer. For the past three years Ellyn has been an outstanding CASA. She has successfully advocated for two young children who are now in safe permanent homes thanks, in part, to her efforts. She is currently working on her third case. Ellyn is committed to gaining the trust of each of her CASA children, visiting them regularly, listening to their wishes and advocating for their best interests. “Ellyn’s commitment, diligence, perseverance and friendly personality make her a pleasure to work with”, said her Case Supervisor, Heather Martino.
Shown with Ellyn (center) in the accompanying photo are Bernard Schoenfeld, Ellyn’s husband, and Heather Martino, her Case supervisor.
The 9th annual Mentoring Recognition event "Mentoring Moves in Unique Ways" took place at the Morris Museum on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. Ellyn was joined by 12 other nominees who were also recognized by their agencies for their selfless support of others in the community.
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April 25, 2007 - CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, Inc. Receives Grant from the NJ State Fair/Farm and Horse Show.
CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, Inc. was one of twenty-six agencies receiving grants from the NJ State Fair/Farm and
Horse Show. The grants were given during the annual Donation Awards Reception on April 25, 2007. The event was held at the Fair Administration building in Branchville.
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Spring 2007 - Three Join CASA Board of Trustees
Deborah Keller, Esquire, of Kinnelon, Thomas C. Regan, Esquire, of New Providence and Dominick Sarinelli, CPA, RMA, PSA, of Landing were recently elected to the CASA Board of Trustees.
Ms. Keller is an Associate General Counsel for KPMG LLP, a worldwide management consulting firm. Mr. Regan is Of Counsel at Day Pitney LLP, a national law firm with offices in Florham Park. Mr. Sarinelli is a Partner in Nisivoccia & Company LLP, an accounting and management consulting firm with offices in Randolph and Newton.
We welcome them and their commitment to our CASA children.
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April 19, 2007 - CASA Receives Sussex County Chamber of Commerce "Quality in Living" Award
On April 19, 2007 the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce held its 20th Annual Awards Dinner to honor companies, organizations and individuals that have made significant contributions to Sussex County.
The "Quality in Living” Award was presented at the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce Quality in Business, Quality in Living Awards Banquet. The banquet took place at Crystal Springs Country Club, Hardyston, NJ on April 19, 2007.
The award was presented "in recognition of a non-profit health, education, social service, or recreational organization or agency whose activities produce broad personal benefits for large numbers of County residents, thereby contributing significantly to the quality of living in Sussex County".
The presentation was made by Michael Schoen of JCP&L, a FirstEnergy Company, and a member of the Chamber's Board. Accepting the award for CASA was Cathy Bawa, Community Relations Manager.
The Board of Trustees and the Sussex County Advisory council were delighted to receive such an outstanding tribute and expressed their appreciation for the excellent work of the Sussex County CASA staff and volunteers.
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November 14, 2006 - Sussex County CASA Marks Ten Years of Service
Ten years of service in Sussex County were marked by a reception at the Farmstead Country Club on Tuesday, November 14, 2006. Since CASA opened its doors in Sussex County more than 140 volunteers have helped more than 300 abused children.
Special presentations were made to Tressa Mathes, CASA Volunteer of the Year, and to Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose for her support of CASA and other programs benefiting children. Shown left to right are Barbara Ward, Executive Director, Tressa Mathes, CASA Volunteer of the Year, Richard Moore, President, Board of trustees, and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose.
Celebration of this milestone event was made possible through the generosity of our sponsors: The Wyeth Corporate Giving Program, Countrywide Home, Inc., and the management of the Farmstead Country Club. The evening’s entertainment was provided by the Sussex Children’s Chorus.
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