"Steer Me Right"
16"x20" Oil on Canvas

CASA for the Highland Lakes Area is my January charity.  "The National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Association) Association is a network of 1,000 program offices that are recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom and other settings.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes.  Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.  For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

Independent research has demonstrated that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care and less likely to reenter care."

To find out more about CASA or how you can help go to www.casaforchildren.org

CASA for the Highland Lakes Area had their annual fundraiser in January and my husband and I attended.  The theme was Casino Royal – James Bond.  Guests dressed in their favorite Bond flick attire.  Luckily no one wore the string bikini that so often graced the scene in so many of the James Bond movies. 

My painting was auctioned off in a silent auction – pretty exciting I must say!  It was a great evening and the Highland Lakes Area raised a lot of money to help CASA.

Stay tuned for my February charity.