On Friday, October 28th CASA volunteer, Tommy White, finish his 50 mile walk for CASA around Charles A. Guy Park at 93rd & Memphis and raised $4,500 to help support volunteer advocacy services for area foster children. He completed his journey in 17 hours and 7 minutes at 8:17 p.m. Mr. White, who has been a CASA volunteer since April of this year, chose to walk for CASA because he deeply believes that every child in foster care deserves an advocate who will speak up for their well-being. A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate is a volunteer that helps foster children navigate the child welfare system and ensure their needs are being met while working to help find safe, permanent homes. 

Mr. White has walked over 900 miles this year in preparation for 50 Miles for CASA. “I saw ads for CASA and I felt CASA would be where I might be able to contribute the most,” said Tommy White, CASA volunteer.

“The entire CASA team is touched and profoundly moved by not only the work Tommy does as a CASA volunteer, but also by his dedication to inspiring others to take action to provide advocacy services to these most vulnerable children in our community,” said Lauren Westerberg, Interim Executive Director for CASA of the South Plains.

To make a donation, or to learn how to host a fundraiser benefiting CASA, visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org.

About CASA of the South Plains
CASA of the South Plains empowers community members to serve as volunteer Advocates that speak for the well-being of abused and neglected children in the foster care system. Court appointed special advocates are community members just like you who ensure each foster child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system while working to find safe, permanent homes for these most vulnerable children.

CASA’s Impact
1. Children with a CASA Advocate spend 5 months less in foster care and are half as likely to re-enter foster care.
2. In 2015, CASA of the South Plains provided advocacy services to 485 foster youth.
3. CASA Advocates donated 8,591 hours in 2015, saving county taxpayers more than $343,640 in county paid attorney fees.

How You Can Help
1. Become a CASA Advocate – more than 700 children are without the assistance of an Advocate in the South Plains.
2. Become a CASA donor – Consider a monthly gift of $5 or more through the Heroes for Hope campaign. Every gift makes a difference!
3. Host a CASA 101 – CASA will come to your business and educate your staff about its mission and goals.

To learn how to become an Advocate, or to make a donation, visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org or call (806) 763-2272.

(News release from CASA of the South Plains)