Last year, I had the pleasure of attending the Nashville CASA‘s Red Shoe Party. It was such a great experience and I was excited to hear more about what CASA was all about.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.
“Since 1984, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program has served Nashville by speaking for abused and neglected children caught in the court system and helping them find safe and permanent homes. Too many children, who through no fault of their own, face a crucial turning point in their lives without a voice. CASA’s trained volunteer advocates speak exclusively for each child and give them hope.
When CASA is involved, the results are remarkable. Children are:
More likely to stay out of the child welfare system.
More likely to be successful in school.
More likely to remain in a stable, caring home.
Every child deserves a chance. Every child deserves a safe home.
Get involved with CASA today, so you can proudly “Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life.”
My great friend Mia Scott, who owns Preferred Events, is an advocate for CASA and also volunteers to help with the Red Shoe Party. I asked her how I could help and donated prints and a session and also reached out to some close friends of mine to not only donate amazing products from their respective businesses, but also donate their time and volunteer for the event.
I’m so happy that I was able to assist Mia and CASA for this wonderful fundraiser to produce funds to help maintain this organization.
Before I manned my volunteer posts, I was able to capture some images from the Silent Auction.
The Red Shoe Party’s theme represents Dorothy’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz and their role in her journey to find her home.
There were a lot of wonderful auction items to bid on. It was my pleasure to donate a portrait session! From art and music, to trips and sporting events, the gifts that people donated added to a wonderful event.
Bessie May & Co. donated a beautifully hand made glittered set of wine glasses and a decanter.
I also created a custom Red Shoe print to auction off with a beautiful quote by Adlai E. Stevenson – “The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step. So we must never neglect any work of peace within our reach, however small.”
SunnyBand donated some fun pieces from her new collection. And Miss Music City 2016 Hannah Bobinger was there mingling, helping out, and lending her voice for the cause.
The event was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and included great food, Mayor Megan Barry addressing the crowd on the importance of speaking up for children who can’t, live auction and the Band 24/7 rocked the evening with fantastic music to dance to.
Daisy Designs had a beautiful necklace that she donated.
Special thanks to Gary Allan for donating this signed guitar!
The event was wonderful to be at and also work! I hope to be involved next year, as well.
Here is a photo of me and my boyfriend, Patrick, who also volunteered, as well as Nicole and Mia from Preferred Events and Anna with Bessie May & Co.
If you are interested in becoming an advocate, donating, or volunteering for CASA please visit their site here.
