A carnival-themed gala was a big hit as last year’s main CASA fundraiser at the Westmoreland Club.
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CASA: A Night in NAPA event chairpersons are Ruth Corcoran and Lake Gemzik. It’s sure to be a fabulous night.
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A night under the stars at the Luzerne County Courthouse was a popular draw for the 2022 CASA gala.
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The CASA gala is always a grand affair. In 2022, the Luzerne County Courthouse was the venue, and this year it’s at the scenic Beaumont Inn.
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I’m getting ready to travel to Napa next week — figuratively speaking, that is.
I fully expect to feel transported to the Napa Valley on Thursday, Sept. 25, when I walk onto the grounds of the Beaumont Inn in Dallas.
That’s because CASA of Wyoming Valley’s annual gala is there and coined as CASA: A Night in Napa.
This week is the final call for tickets.
While I’m going for many reasons, such as the food stations showcasing the local harvest and live music under the grand pavilion, there’s a whole other reason I like to support this organization.
The money raised goes to support the children and their CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers.
These volunteers are trained community members, appointed by a judge, who represent the best interests of an abused or neglected child in court. These volunteers independently assess each child’s situation and dedicate themselves to learning all they can about a child’s unique history and experiences.
Wow. Let that sink in for a minute.
These people are helping the most voiceless segment of our population.
With more than 400 children in the Luzerne and Wyoming County Dependency Court systems, that’s huge.
Money raised from CASA: A Night in Napa goes toward keeping the mission of this extremely worthwhile organization alive.
In addition to the wine tasting, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music that night, there will be a cash raffle with a $5,000 prize.
The event, formerly known as CASAblanca, has always drawn a nice crowd.
I went several years ago when it was at the Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort and appreciated all of the neat twists and surprises the organizers incorporated into the night.
If I know my friends Ruth Corcoran and Lake Gemzik, the co-chairs, I’m sure the night will be magical.
These two are veteran co-chairs, as they planned the 2022 gala at the Luzerne County Courthouse grounds.
And if you know me, you know I love nothing more than seeing people come together for important causes.
Visit luzernecasa.org/raffle to buy raffle tickets. If you’re so inclined, there’s a link on that page to also buy tickets to the gala. M&T Bank is the presenting sponsor.
I’d love to see you there and thriving. And then you’ll get to hear some uplifting stories about how this organization is helping children thrive locally. What’s better than that?
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Mike McGinley is a Times Leader columnist who is often called a man about town. Email him thoughts at mikejmcginley@gmail.com.
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Mike McGinley is a Times Leader columnist who is often called a man about town. Email him thoughts at mikejmcginley@gmail.com.