'Go Blue for CASA' annual event raises $10,000 to support advocacy for abused and neglected children
MORRISTOWN — Court Appointed Special Advocates of Morris and Sussex counties (CASA) partnered with school districts, law firms, and businesses in Morris and Sussex counties to “Go Blue for CASA” and raised $10,000 from this annual event.
In an effort to raise awareness for children who are victims of abuse and neglect during April’s National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie designated Friday, April 12, as CASA Child Advocate Day.
CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties recognized this day to engage the community to “Go Blue” by wearing denim to school or work, and for each participant to donate $5 to CASA. This event not only heightens awareness, but raises funds to support daily advocacy for these children.
“Child abuse occurs everywhere in all zip codes, and affects all socioeconomic groups,” said CASA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Barsky Firkser. “Abuse and neglect have lasting consequences. CASA is here to break this cycle, and champion children’s needs. Every child deserves a safe, loving home, and a wide cross-section of the community has helped to ensure this happensthrough their participation in the 2013 'Go Blue for CASA' event.”
“We hope our small donation will help CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties continue to advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable children in our area,” stated Terry-Ann Zander, Director of Marketing for the law firm Schwartz Simon Edelstein & Celso, LLC. The firm’s employees were permitted to wear jeans for “Go Blue for CASA” Friday in exchange for a $5 donation, and as a bonus employees were permitted to wear sneakers for an additional $5 donation.
CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties trains volunteers to work one-on-one with an abused or neglected child or sibling group, advocating for each child’s best interests. Essentially, CASA volunteers “speak up” for these children in the court and child welfare systems, making sure they are safe and well-cared for, are receiving the services they need, and are placed in permanent, safe, nurturing homes as quickly as possible.
Visit www.casamsc.org or call 973-998-7590 for more information about CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties. Or, to find a local CASA program, visit www.casaofnj.org.
The following law firms, businesses and schools participated in this event:
Franklin Mutual
Niscovoccia
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
MetLife Investments
Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.
Wiley Malehorn Sirota & Raynes
Tesser & Cohen
Day Pitney
Bressler, Amery, & Ross, P.C.
Einhorn, Harris, Ascher, Barbarito & Frost, P.C.
WithumSmith+Brown, P.C.
Caristia, Kulsar & Wade
Micro Strategies
Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland, Perretti, LLP
Wennogle Law, LLC
Schwartz Simon Edelstein & Celso, LLC
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Sussex Assocation of Realtors
Coldwell Banker of Sparta
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter
Sparta Township Public School District
Sparta High School
Sparta Middle School
Sparta Alpine
Sparta Helen Morgan
Sparta Stanhope
Bright Horizons of Oak Ridge
Lincoln Park
Morris Knolls High School
Netcong Elementary