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A CHILD'S VOICE  
 
December 2013

Dear Friends,

 

As the holiday season comes to an end, and we look forward to a new year, it is a time to reflect on ways we can make a positive difference in our lives -- and others. For those of you who supported CASA Lake County and the children who so desperately need us, thank you.  2014 will surely be another challenging year as cases of abuse in Illinois and Lake County continue to rise, and our most innocent victims -- through no fault of their own -- are targets of violence. As a colleague recently reminded me, "unfortunately we can't control what happens behind closed doors or stop the violent acts of others, but we can embrace these abused children in the aftermath and do everything in our power to ensure they are placed in a safe, permanent and nurturing home"

 

On behalf of CASA Lake County and the nearly 600 children we serve, we wish you a warm, healthy, safe and happy holiday season.

 

Sincerely,

Terri

 

Terri Z. Greenberg

Executive Director

Aon Hewitt President &CEO Kristi Savacool, CASA Executive Director Terri Z. Greenberg and W.W. Grainger's Steve Albright, Director of Human Resources Shared Service
Aon's gift drive to brighten holidays for 636 underprivileged children

It was another heartfelt Aon Annual Holiday Gift Drive on Saturday, December 7 at Aon's Lincolnshire offices. Aon colleagues from across Chicagoland united to delight children in need. Read more.

Grainger Has A Holiday Heart

W.W. Grainger Branch Manager in the Waukegan branch Jesse Moffitt (r to l) and Market Manager Gene O'Sullivan present CASA's Terri Z. Greenberg with a $10,000 gift to recruit, train and supervise CASA Advocates for foster children living in Waukegan, Illinois - a community with increasing reports of abuse. Grainger truly gives back.

W.W. Grainger, a charitable company located a stone's throw from CASA's offices, has always been on our "partnership" wish list. And that wish came true a few weeks ago when Grainger Branch Manager Jesse Moffitt, came to visit and learn more about how we help Lake County's abused children. Read more. 

A Tea From the Heart
Smiles all around. From (left to right) Stacey Moe, Sharron Peterson, Hostess Annie McAveeney, Susan Dick, Tina Iosue and CASA's Joanie Bayhack.
Terri shares news about CASA with Lake Forest Renaissance Artist and Philanthropist Nancy Smith. The tea raised funds and friends - and was aglow with holiday cheer.
A stunning holiday tea was hosted in the private Lake Forest home of Annie McAveeney, a passionate advocate for children. It is a seasonal tradition for Annie and 15 other hostesses (one of which is CASA Advocate Jenny Zinser) to host a tea, where in lieu of a hostess gift, guests are encouraged to give to a local charity. Read more.

Hostess Annie McAveeney (center) welcomes 150 philanthropic ladies to a Christmas tea in her Lake Forest home.

A Shoe box Full of Love...and so much more
Terri and Amy unload dozens of coats from Starbucks coffee lovers...
 
We will never look at a shoe box the same way...At CASA, we never take generosity for granted yet every year our donors, volunteers and partners exceed our wildest expectations. Read more. 
CASA's Brendan Siegfried and Joanie Bayhack try out blankets donated by Project Linus.

Project Linus Provides "Warm, Fuzzy and Functional" for our Children this Winter

 

Linus, a non-profit organization who creates hand-made blankets for people in need, surprised us with brightly colored, luxurious and cozy blankets just in time for Chicago's first day of winter. Read more. 

Walden Elementary Teaches to Give Back

Walden friends (l to r) Erin Kerpel, Dawn Reichman, Kris Graham Heidi Sparacino, Chair of the Philanthropy Committee, CASA's Wendy LaPlaca and Elizabeth Sammann.

This is the 5th year for WE Care for CASA, a program sponsored by the Walden Elementary Philanthropy Committee.  This year families and friends of Walden Elementary School in Deerfield provided hundreds of gifts for our CASA children including necessity items, including bedding and warm clothing for winter.  Read more.

 

CASA Lake County's Mission
CASA is central to fulfilling society's most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child's right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family.
Stay Connected with CASA Lake County
CASA Lake County
700 Forest Edge Drive Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847-383-6260



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 Facts you should know...

 

Active Volunteers = 297

New Volunteers = 60

Children with a CASA = 563

New Cases = 82

New Children = 169

Children in Safe, Permanent Homes = 111 (20%)

Upcoming Events 
 
Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner

March 8, 2014
6:00-8:00 pm

The Arboretum Club, Buffalo Grove, IL

Dinner, dancing, awards and community

 

Save the Date  
Annual All Day In-service Training


April 12, 2014

9:00am - 3:00pm

Advocating for Permanency

Learn practical, specific ways to work toward permanency for children from the beginning to the end of your case


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CASAblanca Gala

May 10, 2014
at Ravinia