UNION COUNTY — With approximately 600 children in the Union County foster care system that need help in finding permanency, a new gala aims to foster their dream. CASA of Union County has announced its first “Foster the Dream” Gala paying tribute to the Hon. Judge Jo-Anne Spatola on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. CASA of Union County currently provides volunteer court advocates for 98 foster children and hopes to one day provide a CASA volunteer to every foster child in the county. The new fundraising gala aims to make this dream a reality.
The evening will begin with an open bar cocktail reception with live entertainment where guests will have a chance to mingle, bid in the silent auction or step outside on the terrace to enjoy views of Galloping Hill Golf Course. The cocktail reception will be followed by dinner and a live auction featuring extravagant packages including a vacation getaway to Iceland, exclusive tickets to New York Fashion Week and an at-home chef package for 10.
The “Foster the Dream” Gala will be paying special tribute to the Honorable Judge Jo-Anne B. Spatola for her dedication to the needs of foster children and CASA. The evening will also feature the “Dream-Keeper Award for Outstanding Volunteerism” which will be presented to a current CASA volunteer.
“The funds raised from the Foster the Dream Gala are vital to ensuring CASA can continue providing volunteer advocates for foster children in Union County,” said Dominic Prophete, CASA of Union County’s executive director. “For many abused and neglected children, their CASA volunteer is the one constant voice in their lives. Our goal is to provide a volunteer for every foster child and shape the future for them.” CASA volunteers are appointed by family court to watch over and advocate for children in foster care. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child they have grown to care for is placed in a safe and permanent home.
For information or to purchase tickets visit www.casaofunioncounty.org or contact Victoria Curtis at [email protected].