DAUPHIN COUNTY CASA TO LAUNCH “GIVING TREE” CAMPAIGN TO UPLIFT FOSTER CHILDREN

CASA volunteers represent foster kids’ best interests in court

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Joined by community members, corporate sponsors, civic leaders and a student chorus from Linglestown Elementary School, Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. (CASA) will light the Linglestown Square Tree on Giving Tuesday, December 3 at 5:30 p.m., to symbolize the launch of their annual Giving Tree fundraising campaign. CASAs are community volunteers appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of foster children in court. With nearly 400 children in foster care and just 40 CASAs to serve them, this fundraiser is critical for the CASA program to meet their needs for individual and sibling group representation.

“Our Giving Tree symbolizes the best of our community. When businesses and individuals step up with financial donations to support Dauphin County CASA, they uplift the lives of local foster children who have been abused and/or neglected,” said Will Foster, executive director of CASA. “Our volunteer court advocates work closely with these children to forge a brighter path forward to a permanent, safe and supportive home.”

WHO: Dauphin Co. CASA leaders, volunteers and staff

Dauphin County Commissioners and elected officials

Sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Mid Penn Bank

Linglestown Area Civic Association members

Linglestown Elementary Student Chorus under Director Sara Willard

WHAT: CASA Tree-Lighting Ceremony to Launch the Giving Tree Fundraising Campaign

WHEN: Giving Tuesday, December 3, 5:30-6:30 PM

WHERE: Linglestown Square Holiday Tree, in front of CR Automotive Detailing, 5967 Linglestown Road

NOTE: This is a rain or shine OUTDOOR event. Please dress accordingly! Also, everyone who attends gets free cookies, courtesy of CASA, plus free hot chocolate and a warm space to enjoy it afterwards courtesy of St. Thomas Roasters in Linglestown.

In addition to the real, evergreen community tree, CASA has a VIRTUAL Giving Tree. Donors who contribute funding online can upload personal messages and photos for the foster children at www.DauphinCountyCASA.org/tree, and choose from a pre-set list of ornaments to “decorate” the virtual tree.

In 2022, the Central Penn Business Journal chose Dauphin County CASA’s “Giving Tree” as the Nonprofit Innovation Award winner for Brand Identity/Unique Marketing Campaign. Please direct all sponsorship and donation inquiries to Will Foster, 717-888-9973.

ATTACHED PHOTO CAPTION:

auDauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program will launch its 5th Annual “Giving Tree” fundraiser at Linglestown Square on Dec. 3. The campaign runs through Dec. 31, 2024 and benefits volunteer court advocacy for abused children in the local foster care system. Financial contributions are welcome at DauphinCountyCASA.org/tree.

About Dauphin County CASA:

Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Harrisburg, Pa. A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen (21 years or older) who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of a child in court. The children for whom CASA volunteers advocate have been abused and neglected and placed into the foster care system. Our dedicated CASA volunteers work to help ensure a safe and permanent home for the child as quickly as possible. A CASA Volunteer Advocate is an extension of the "eyes and ears” of the judge. For Dauphin County’s foster children, we strive to #ChangeTheirStory to one of hope and opportunity. To learn more and support our mission, please visit dauphincountycasa.org.

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