Quick Links

Press Releases

 
DATE POSTED: Friday, February 17, 2012 3:35 PM EST
 

‘Luke Visconti, CEO of Princeton-based Diversityinc; Vincetta Kane, Marketing Manager for Roma Bank, and Randall Kirkpatrick, Director of Community Development for CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties, meet to plan CASA’s ‘Stand-up for a Child’ benefit at the Westin Princeton on March 24.

   Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties is hosting "Stand Up for A Child,” a night of comedy featuring Jessica Kirson, one of Jay Leno’s favorite comedians. This night of laughter and fun will be held on Saturday, March 24, at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village from 7 to 10:30 p.m. "Stand Up for a Child” will be MC’d by comic Helene Angley and will include delicious appetizers, a great silent auction and an exciting live auction.

   ”This is our first comedy event since 2008, and we are delighted to be working with such a great comic, who happens to have a a background in social work,” said Lori Morris, Executive Director of CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties.

   ”While this is going to be a fun night, we are focused on using this event to raise funds to enhance our efforts to recruit, screen, and train new volunteers to benefit the children we serve in Mercer County.”

   While a number of companies are sponsoring CASA’s "Stand Up for A Child” event, lead sponsors Diversityinc and Roma Bank are supporting the event at the Big Guffaw level, while Bracco Diagnostics and Fox Rothschild LLP are Hearty Chuckle Sponsors.

   CASA of Mercer County recruits, screens and trains volunteer advocates from the community to speak up in Family Court for the best interests of abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes. Currently there are more than 450 children in the county’s foster care system. CASA’s 140 advocates served 214 of them this past year. CASA volunteers, commonly referred to as the eyes and ears of Family Court, ensure that the medical, educational, mental health, and recreational needs of children are met while they are in the foster care system. CASA volunteers are committed to helping their "kids” find safe, permanent homes.
   
A limited number of tickets are still available; tickets for a table of ten are $1,100, tickets for a table of eight are $900, and individual tickets are $120 per person. Tickets may be purchased online by visiting www.casamercer.org.

For more information, contact Randall Kirkpatrick, CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties Director of Community Development, at 609-434-0050 orrkirkpatrick@casamercer.org,

    

"Cooking for CASA” at Café Madison

 Raises over $8,500 for

CASA of Burlington County

Mt. Holly, NJ. November 13, 2011…  Cooking for CASA, a benefit held on November 13th at Café Madison, raised over $8500 for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Burlington County, the non-profit organization that serves the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.

In addition to an appealing gourmet silent auction, Cooking for CASA featured a delicious four course tasting menu presented by two-time Chopped Campion and Columbus, NJ resident Darius Peacock. The tasting plates were prepared by The Madison’s expert culinary staff, led by South Jersey Top Chef Jack Connor.

Throughout the presentation Darius shared his passion for world cuisine, his life growing up in Brooklyn, and his family’s influence on his career.  "We were entertained and educated by Darius, and are grateful for the generosity of Café Madison to open up their one-of-a-kind restaurant for us,” said Randall Kirkpatrick, Director of Community Development for CASA for Children of Mercer and Burlington Counties.  He continued, "The Madison staff, directed by Chef Jack Connor, did an amazing job of interpreting Darius’s recipes and preparing these small plates for our large group of seventy.”

"The funds raised during this event will enhance our efforts to recruit, screen, and train new volunteers to benefit the children we serve in Burlington County,” he added.

The event was chaired by Patrick Diogenia, president of Princeton-based marketing and advertising firm Crowd Connect,  and supported by a deep group of sponsors, led by lead sponsor, Brandywine Realty Trust.  Sous Chef sponsors were Assemblyman Chris Brown, Debbi and Aldo Roldan, the Domestic Violence Advocacy Center, Intercon Construction, and M Financial; CASA Kids Sponsors were Dash Farrow LLP, Dewberry, Lynda Hinkles Law Firm, and Neuner and Ventura.

CASA volunteers, commonly referred to as the eyes and ears of Family Court, ensure that the medical, educational, mental health, and recreational needs are met for children while they are in the foster care system.   CASA of Mercer County officially merged with CASA  of Burlington County on April 7, 2011.  At one point last year there were over 1,000 children in out-of-home placement (foster care and residential facilities), in Mercer and Burlington Counties.  The ultimate goal of CASA is to help find safe and permanent homes for the children they serve.

For more information about different ways to support and volunteer for CASA, please call Randall Kirkpatrick 609.434.0050 or visit  www.casamercer.org .