Light of Hope Dinner

What a great evening! November 10th was the date and 45 members of the community, the board of directors and Advocates attended the Annual Light of Hope Dinner in recognition of the dedication of our volunteers and advocates.

We were informed, motivated and uplifted by the presentation given by Derek Peake, Resource Specialist for California CASA Association. Derek is the father of three former foster children. He definitely knows the difficulties and the joy that comes from the small successes of each day with children who have such a burden to carry.

Event Attendees included: Judge William Follett & Maureen Follett; John Menaugh, CEO Sutter Coast Hospital; Chris Gary, Humane Society; Gary Blatnick and Al Raddi, Del Norte Health and Social Services; Susan Spehling, Del Norte Social Services; Mike Riese, Del Norte County District Attorney & Stephanie Riese; Cyndie Brande, Executive Director, Del Norte Senior Center and Gene Brande; Sarah Noll & Tera Nation, Child Care Council; along with numerous volunteer Advocates and their guests; Lyn Gleeson, Del Norte Social Services Intern from Australia; the CASA of Del Norte Board of Directors and their guests.

Every day, more children enter the "system" and every day we, in our role as CASAs know that there is still a lot to do. In our short history here in Del Norte, we have been able to make progress in serving more children. Our volunteer Advocates provide valuable and necessary investigation, visitation, and advocacy for the children are serving.

This evening was set aside as a small way to recognize the importance of the work done by our volunteer advocates, the Board of Directors and our community which supports CASA of Del Norte.

We enjoyed a good meal, good conversation, a motivational presentation and most of all a renewed sense of our mission.

Thanks to all, including our staff Kathy Horgan and Terri Levezow for their hard work in making the evening a success.