Golf tournament will benefit CASA once again

After a one-year hiatus, organizers of a Father's Day golf tournament are eager to hit the links once again. The event benefits the Court Appointed Special Advocates program within the 31st Judicial District, which encompasses Allen, Neosho, Woodson and Wilson counties.

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Sports

June 18, 2021 - 2:59 PM

Among the organizers and sponsors gearing up for today’s Father’s Day Tournament to benefit the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 31st Judicial District are, from left, CASA director Aimee Daniels, Allen County Country Club golf course superintendent L.C. Lacy, Mike Waldman of Community National Bank, Luke Smith of Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Sharla Heard of Farm Bureau Financial Services and Megan Reid with the country club. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register

When the world ground to a halt last spring and summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a particularly tough blow for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.

The program trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the Kansas courts system.

Regular fundraisers, one of the revenue staples for the program in Allen County, had to stop, “but our services were definitely still ongoing,” explained Aimee Daniels, director of the CASA program within the 31st Judicial District.

“We normally have four or five fundraisers a year,” she said. “Last year, we had two.”

Thankfully, one of those fundraisers, the annual Father’s Day Golf Tournament at Allen County Country Club, is back in 2021.

Eighteen four-man teams will tee off this morning at 9 o’clock, with a number of prizes and games planned along the way, but with the thoughts of helping children in need at the forefront.

Just ask Sharla Miller of Farm Bureau Financial Services, one of the ongoing sponsors for the fundraiser.

As a regular participant in past golf tournaments, Miller discovered the vital role CASA plays in the court system when she worked for two years as a paralegal.

“It really showed just much of a need there is for such a wonderful program,” Miller said.

The golf tournament is celebrating its 15th year this weekend.

The primary duties of a CASA volunteer are to investigate and become acquainted with the facts, conditions and circumstances affecting a child’s welfare, then to advocate to the courts for the child’s best interests in finding permanent, safe homelike placement.

Most often, the children are victims of abuse or neglect.

The group’s work continued through the pandemic, with most of the operation done remotely, Daniels explained.

“It was tough,” she said.

While the golf teams have already been filled out, Daniels is always eager to hear from other potential sponsors, supporters, or potential volunteers.

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