CASA Kane County's 'Diamonds Are Forever 007' gala sold out

It's that time of year again for CASA Kane County's annual Children's Champion Celebration that will be hosted on Saturday, March 4, at the Q Center in St. Charles. This is the organization's largest fundraiser of the year. The "Diamonds Are Forever 007" James Bond theme will help raise much-needed funding for children who have been abused or neglected by no fault of their own.

The auction will feature items to bid on such as private upscale dining experiences, destination vacation packages in a private plane, popular high-end Chicago sporting team tickets, VIP theatre packages with luxury transportation and more. The more than 850 attendees will be enchanted by the lavish decor, fine dining, signature cocktails and dancing to the live band SODA.

For the first time ever in the organization's history, CASA sold out five weeks in advance of the event, thanks to the tireless efforts of the auction committee, board leadership and loyal supporters. Event co-chairs Jane Combs and Kirstin LaFave of St. Charles and the "Diamonds Are Forever 007" event committee have worked so effortlessly in helping secure sponsorships and upscale auction items.

Gloria Bunce, CASA executive director, commented, "What makes CASA Kane County so distinctive and special is the amazing amount of camaraderie with all of the individuals involved with the organization. They all work so hard together for such a great cause and they never cease to amaze me that they are always asking what more they can do to help! All of these wonderful people have such a contagious 'all-in' attitude with an ongoing passion for children who have been abused or neglected."

Guests also will have the opportunity to hear from the very captivating former CASA child, Ashley Rhodes-Courter, who was in the system as a child and had a CASA volunteer growing up. She is also a best-selling author and child welfare advocate and the organization is delighted to have her share her story at this event.

CASA Kane County is also pleased to award Conrad and Jennifer Fisher as the Children's Champions and Dan Dolan and the Dolan Family Foundation as the honorary chairs. The organization is extremely grateful to these ambassadors of the children served by CASA Kane County.

If you'd like contribute in some way to this event or simply want to learn more about CASA, contact Vicki Shaw, vice president of advancement, at (630) 444-3100.

Or if you would like to purchase raffle tickets for one of five prizes, please call Mallory Speck, development and event coordinator, at (630) 444-3108. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the advocacy and support of more than 600 abused and neglected children that CASA Kane County serves each year.

For nearly 30 years, CASA Kane County has been recruiting, training and supervising community volunteers who serve as court appointed special advocates and the guardian ad litem for children in court due to abuse, neglect or private guardianship. The CASA volunteer acts as the eyes and ears of the judge to help make the best decision for a safe, caring and permanent home for each child. The organization serves 100 percent of all abuse/neglect and private guardianship cases in the 16th Judicial Circuit of Kane County and has been doing this since 2002. CASA Kane County's 15 staff and 280 active CASA/GAL volunteers advocate for more than 600 children annually.