Local community members, businesses, and guests filled the Opelousas Civic Center on Thursday evening for the Annual CASA Kids Benefit Banquet.
CASA of St. Landry-Evangeline, Inc. held its Annual CASA Kids Benefit Banquet on Thursday, May 18th, to support their mission of being a voice for abused and neglected children. The theme for the evening was ‘Unmasking Child Abuse and Neglect’. Guests were welcomed with masquerade masks, some donning GALA attire, providing an atmosphere of both casual and formal ambience.
Guest speaker Claire Babineaux-Fontenot delivered a powerful and compelling message on the importance of ending hunger in our community. Claire is a former CASA volunteer and currently serves as chief executive officer of Feeding America, a nationwide network with 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs.
Claire’s testament to her parents captivated guests as she spoke on their movements that made a lasting impression in her life as well as the lives of many others. Among those who were recognized during the evening were Warren and Mary Alice Babineaux with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their decades of providing quality foster care to children in need of care.
Claire presented a generous contribution of $1,000 to CASA of St. Landry-Evangeline in support of their program to continue providing quality advocacy and a strong voice for abused and neglected children in the state’s custody.
Awards were presented acknowledging Friends of CASA for their continuous support and contributions to individuals and groups: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Lambda Beta Omega Chapter, Ezekiel Lazard, Perry Fontenot III, Dessie Ledet, Bishop Easton Shelvin, Dads & Kids organization, Mr. Jessie Bellard, Volunteer of the Year David Clark, and Board Member of the Year Chadrick Edmond.
Dozens of gift baskets and prizes were generously donated by local sponsors to be raffled off at the closing of the event, further raising much needed funds to support CASA’s mission. The banquet had a successful turnout with many CASA volunteers, board members, community leaders, and local businesses in attendance.
CASA’s Impact on Changing Children’s Stories
The purpose of the Benefit Banquet event helps raise 20% of the budget for CASA to provide quality services in our community. In 2022 CASA of St. Landry-Evangeline’s volunteers served 3,405 children for a collective 50,525 volunteer hours. These volunteers actively work towards improving the quality of judicial decision-making by providing imperative information that could only come from a one-on-one relationship between a child and a dedicated volunteer.
There is always a great need for more volunteers to help change the lives of children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect. CASA ensures all volunteers working with their programs are properly trained, screened, and supervised in compliance with both Louisiana Law and national standards.
“We understand not everyone can volunteer. There are many ways to help CASA to support their advocacy for abused or neglected children.”
To learn more about CASA’s programs and services and how you can get involved call 337-948-3550 or visit their office for further information at 421 N. Main Street, Opelousas La 70570.
