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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – On Friday, March 6, 2015, CASA Jefferson, Inc. will host the Light of Hope Gala – Every Child Counts. The event, held from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm at the to help raise Arbor Room in City Park, will raise awareness and funds for the organization`s mission: To break the cycle of child abuse and neglect through volunteers advocating for safe, nurturing, and permanent homes for foster children in our community.

The night will feature local vendors and sponsors such as Laurel`s Licks, Treo`s, Acme Oyster House, 5 Happiness, Barecca`s, Baker`s Dozen, Conola, Dong Phoung, Café 821 and Highland Catering. The signature drink of the evening, The Pinwheel, will symbolize child abuse prevention and guests will be encouraged to take the pinwheel decorations to display for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

Currently, CASA Jefferson has 105 CASAs advocating for 135 children with 25 still on the waiting list and new cases entering the system every day. The total cost in Advocate training, supervising, and continuing education for Advocates is around $1,000 per child per year. ‘This event is being held so that CASA Jefferson can have the chance to give every child in the Jefferson Parish foster care system a chance to survive and thrive,’ says gala committee chair, Mike Herzog.

General Admission tickets are $75 and they include food, open bar, entertainment, and the silent auction. Tables seating is available. For sponsorship, ticket, and table information, please visit our website at www.casajefferson.org/gala or at (504) 481-8739.

The mission of CASA Jefferson is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect through volunteers advocating for safe, nurturing, and permanent homes for foster children in our community.  CASA Jefferson, Inc. is governed by an independent volunteer Board of Directors.  CASA Jefferson serves the foster children of Jefferson Parish through the assignment of trained community volunteers.  The nature of CASA Jefferson`s service inherently supports the juvenile court of Jefferson Parish. For more information about CASA Jefferson and its programs or to volunteer, please visit www.casajefferson.com or contact Bryant Laiche at 225-721-3431 or bryant@blaichedesigns.com.