CASA recognition banquet honors volunteers

YUMA. Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - It is that time of the year where CASA recognizes all of the hard work and dedication their volunteers put in to serve the vulnerable children in our community.

Today was the 29th annual CASA recognition banquet.

Casa volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service systeM or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes.

“They go and visit the child, they’re appointed by a judge, they gather information and then they let the judge know how things are going for the child while they’re in care, while their parents are doing whatever they need to do to get the family back together,” said CASA coordinator, Sandy Garrison.

At the event, they gave the volunteers awards like CASA of the year, Judges Award, Rookie of the Year, as well as Roadrunner (the most miles for CASA work).

Each volunteer also received a recognition gift and boxed lunch to go or to eat onsite with fellow volunteers and staff.

Right now Yuma County has just over 200 children in foster care, while CASA only has 41 volunteers, which are only able to help 93 of those 200 children.

If you're looking to be a volunteer, visit the CASA website here: https://www.azcourts.gov/casaofyumacounty