Chicago Cub Ryan Dempster To Be Honored at CASA Lake County Gala

Casa Lake County's annual gala on Thursday, May 20, will honor Ryan Dempster, former Chicago Cub great and current sports broadcaster. Dempster will be honored with the Terri Zenner Award for his longstanding work with child centered charities, as well as his commitment to family and community philanthropy.

Kaydra Sutherland, a former CASA foster child, will give the keynote address. Sutherland will discuss her own inspiring success story, overcoming childhood challenges including a lack of formal education until she entered foster care at age 15. With help from a dedicated CASA volunteer and a supportive adoptive family, Ms. Sutherland persevered to find a forever home, graduate from high school and complete her nursing degree.

The annual event for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) raises funds for advocacy programs supporting local victims of child abuse and neglect. It serves as the nonprofit organization's largest fundraising event of the year. This is the first year the event will take place virtually online.

CASA Lake County Executive Director Terri Zenner Greenberg said, "We have long known the deep empathy and generosity of the individuals, companies and foundations that support the work of CASA, and that has never been more evident than over the past year. We are so grateful for everyone's continued support. We need that support now more than ever."

CASA Lake County supports and advocates for local children who are party to cases active in the Lake County juvenile court system. Most are in foster care. Last year, the non-profit served a record 689 children, as the pandemic pushed a surge in the court's case load.

The work of CASA depends on nearly 300 local volunteers who are trained by the organization and certified by the court to advocate on behalf of the children. More than 40 children are currently on a waiting list, in need of a CASA volunteer to help them through difficult circumstances. Any adult interested in volunteering with CASA Lake County, please contact Debra Lerner-Schmidt at dlernerschmidt@casalakecounty.com.

For more information on the gala, or to register, please visit the organization's website at www.casalakecounty.com.