Community Corner
CASA/Prince George’s Expresses Thanks for Festival/Fundraiser
Pepco and Council Member Deni Taveras help CASA surpass fundraising goal at 5th annual World of Wheels event
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County on Monday thanked all those responsible for making its fifth annual World of Wheels for CASA, a Touch a Truck Family Festival and fundraiser a success.
More than $15,000 was raised at the event on Saturday at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville that drew about 1,000 parents and children who enjoyed games and rides as well as a chance to see, touch and even sit in a fleet of police, construction, utility and other vehicles.
“We thank our sponsors, our volunteers, our supporters,” said Ann Marie Binsner, Executive Director of CASA/Prince George’s County. “Our event showed broad community support for our efforts to make a real difference in the lives of foster kids who have been abused and neglected.”
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A nonprofit founded in 2001, CASA/Prince George’s County trains, recruits and helps supervise CASAs – Court Appointed Special Advocates – for about 150 foster children a year.
A CASA can change a foster child’s life, improving their chances of being placed in a safe home, graduating from high school and avoiding a life in poverty.
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CASAs are volunteers. Each represents one foster child. They get to know their needs and challenges. The CASA then provides information and recommendations that helps a judge decide what’s best for the youngster.
A CASA is an advocate as well as an investigator, mentor and friend.
“Perhaps most importantly, a CASA is a difference maker,” said Binsner.
Prince George’s County Council Member Deni Taveras, the festival’s presenting sponsor, said, “I’m happy that we were able to open the event to the public free of charge so that more people could better understand what CASA does and why. I am very proud to support such as worthy organization that provides such critical services to Prince George’s County children and residents.”
In addition to Pepco and Council Member Taveras, other sponsors included: DeMatha Catholic High School, WTOP, Amerigroup, Dimension Healthcare Systems, Turbo Haul, Asplundh Tree Experts, and the City of Hyattsville.
For more information about CASA/Prince George’s call (301) 209-0491 or visit www.pgcasa.org.