A Spring Gala raffle basket.
Batavia- CASA for Clermont Kids! held its annual Spring Gala on Friday April 26, at Receptions in Eastgate.

Nearly $70,000 was raised to provide advocates for the abused and neglected children of Clermont County. This year the Emcee of the event was Brendan Keffe, WCPO Channel 9 Investigative Reporter and Multi-Media Journalist.

The featured guest speaker was Bonnie Bazil-Davis, President of Speak Out Services and a former chemical dependency counselor. Bazil-Davis is well known for her unique workshops that include her personal incest recovery experiences, creative storytelling and presentations of her current research. The event sold-out this year, those interested in attending are encouraged to save the date for next year to be held on April 25, 2014.

The Gala consisted of elegant décor, an elaborate dinner menu, silent auction, live auction and of course, the highlight of the evening, the county raffle basket drawing! Clermont County departments competed in a friendly battle to see who could sell the most tickets for their basket.

Raffle baskets ranged from a “The Perfect Popcorn Party” basket donated by the Sheriff’s Department which held a number of movies, snacks and a popcorn popper cart to Municipal Courts “How Does Your Garden Grow” which consisted of a wheelbarrow filled with over $300 worth of items to get you planting this season.

For the second year in a row, Domestic Relations Court won the coveted prize with their “Good Things Come in Small Packages” basket featuring a variety of high quality miniature items. They will once again hold the traveling trophy and receive a free table for ten at next year’s event.

Despite the success at the event, CASA for Clermont Kids! still needs the community’s support. CASA needs volunteers to become advocates for children in the court system, to assist with community awareness and to work on the special events committee. Since the Spring Charity Gala in 2012, CASA served 236 children in Clermont County. There are still more children waiting for a CASA to advocate for their best interest. CASA for Clermont Kids! is a non-profit agency that advocates for the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children who have been introduced into Clermont County Juvenile Court.

CASA recruits and trains community involved citizens to volunteer as Guardians Ad Litem who independently work in the court system to serve as the child’s advocate and court representative.

For community involved citizens who wish to be the voice for a child within the court, you can make application for our year round training.

For more information on how to become an advocate contact Jeannie Helsel at Jeannie@casaforclermontkids.com or (513) 732-7160. For more information about CASA for Clermont Kids! or to learn more about the sponsors for our event check out our website at www.casaforclermontkids.com.