"The first joy of a child is the knowledge that it is loved."

This year marks CASA Kane County's 20th Anniversary of standing up for the abused and neglected children of Kane County.  Thousands of children have benefitted from the contributions of 642 CASA volunteers since the program's inception in 1988.   
 
The Light the Way Gala & Auction was a wonderful kick-off to our 20th anniversary!  Gala Chair Jennifer Paganessi Fisher and Co-Chair Kristin Chapski chose the evening's theme because they felt it captured what the program's founders, Charlotte Evans and Doris Hunt, had wanted to achieve twenty years ago when they established this program as a way to help abused and neglected children in our community.  It also honors the work of our many CASA volunteers, past and present, who continually light the way to a brighter future for the children on their cases.

Because this event paid tribute to the agency's twenty years of service, the event committee felt it was appropriate to honor both Charlotte and Doris with the Founders' Award.  Charlotte Evans and her family flew in from California to attend the event, and Doris was on hand along with her children.  According to Executive Director Gloria Bunce, "These two incredible women were the masterminds behind the CASA movement in Kane County, and we will be forever indebted to them for their perseverance and determination to make a difference in the life of a child."

The first-ever Children's Champion Award was given to Jim and Mary Ann Lindquist.  The couple has been one of the organization's strongest supporters, contributing both their time and dollars to help the CASA program thrive.

We also celebrated this milestone at our annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, held this year at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.  Chief Judge Donald Hudson addressed the audience and shared his thoughts on the importance of having a CASA appointed to every child abuse and neglect case.  Twelve new advocates were sworn in by Judge Karen Simpson.  The annual Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award was given to Charles Radovich who has donated his time and expertise to the CASA program for almost 15 years.  The Doris Hunt Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Joyce Egan who has been an advocate since 1994.  In addition to her work as a CASA volunteer, Joyce has also chaired the Walk For a Child and has been one the program's best recruiters!

In twenty years, CASA Kane County has grown from a small group of nine volunteers and one part-time director to an organization of nearly 200 volunteers and eleven staff serving 500 children annually.  The support and passion of our volunteers and donors has made this growth possible, and we thank each and every one of you for the role you have played in protecting these children.