October 23rd, 2006 by: Ashley
Hobnobbing with CASA
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8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $200 ($50 donated to Court Appointed Special Advocates)
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Sunday night I got to see a side of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) that I, as a volunteer for the nonprofit, rarely ever see. My usual involvement, which includes advocating for abused and/or neglected children enduring the burden the legal system as a result of the abuse inflicted on them, was far removed from this evening’s activities. Instead I found myself surrounded by an incredibly colorful mix of party-goers at the organization’s annual “Hobnobber’s Ball” in Millionaires’ Row at the legendary Churchill Downs.
Before the event, I asked my volunteer supervisor for some pointers as to what to wear. Her answer confused me further. “Well, some people will be wearing formal dresses, some in jeans, others in costumes. I think a few people came dressed in drag last year.” She wasn’t kidding. I saw derby hats, fishnet hoses, fur, sequins, face paint, tiaras, garter belts, lots of stilettos, even more cleavage, and one kilt. Possibly the most notable of fashion displays was put on by the Derby City Rollergirls. Believe me, your mother would not approve of their fun and scanty outfits (but hey, this way you can see all of their cool tattoos).
Local wineries and distilleries lined the perimeters of the enormous venue, caterers enticed the palate and great musicians kept the chairs empty and the dance floor packed. All of this for the most worthy of causes.
If you’re looking for a organization to contribute to in some form, I highly recommend finding a CASA near you. These fundraisers make transformative change in the lives of many children possible. It’s stories like these that might pull at your heart strings and get you involved.
2 Comments
November 13th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Hi, I am considering applying to volunteer for CASA (in Kansas City, MO). I was trying to do a bit of online research to get feedback from people who are/have been volunteers.
If you have just a bit of time, I would appreciate your input on your CASA experiences.
Love your artwork, too! Thanks, Cathy Bennett
cathylee2006@gmail.com
November 13th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Cathy,
That’s not an easy question to answer. Each case is very unique and the time involved varies. Many cases including several siblings and are more time intensive. It’s definitely a volunteer position for people who have a real passion for child advocacy. You will see some unbelievable cases of abuse and neglect, but I’m very glad I’ve become a volunteer. I feel like I’m making a tangible difference (however small) directly with the children I work with and you will be greatly appreciated by your judge, and most often, your social worker.
But if you’re on the fence about it, I would think hard about how serious you are about a long term commitment (in my county in KY, I’m pretty sure we are committed for 1 year). The rewards are tremendous, but it’s emotionally draining and not comparable to one-time/as-needed volunteering.
Good luck, I’m sure CASA would love to have you!
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