Courtesy photo by LAUREN THOMASON CASA of New Hampshire CEO Marcia Sink, right, and board of directors co-chair Amy Coveno wrap up last week's CASA Cares for the Community virtual gala, which raised more than $200,000 for the agency's child-advocacy programs.

By CAROLYN COTE

For The Telegraph

MANCHESTER – CASA of New Hampshire raised more than $200,000 at last week’s CASA Cares for the Community, the agency’s first-ever virtual gala that took the place of its annual spring gala, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CASA CEO and president Marcia Sink, board of directors co-chair Amy Coveno and auctioneer Mark Fodero were joined virtually by late night talk show host Seth Meyers, along with Gov. Chris Sununu, former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick and U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen for the hour-long presentation, which was produced by Events United at Studio Lab in Derry.

The event included a live and silent auction, a diamond earring raffle sponsored Day’s Jewelers of Manchester and Nashua, a golden ticket raffle and a “fund the need” appeal.

“We are going to be able to do so much for so many children with this incredible outpouring of love and support tonight … it truly does take a village to take care of all our kids,” said Sink as the fundraising total toppled over the $200,000 mark in the final minutes of the broadcast.

CASA Cares for the Community, presented by SLC Group Holdings, was a reimagining of the nonprofit’s annual spring gala stopped in its tracks by the coronavirus pandemic. In a year where coming together has never felt more important, CASA wanted to add its own “give back” aspect to the event. In addition to raising money to support its mission of providing New Hampshire’s abused and neglected children with advocates to be their voices in court, it also sought to give back to Granite State restaurants that so generously support their communities year after year. More than half of CASA’s silent auction was made up by $2,500 worth of gift cards to local restaurants – supported by a sponsorship with FEEDNH.org.

The event was critical for CASA as it is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. The money raised will help recruit, train and supervise more advocates to speak on behalf of victimized children.

CASA Cares also featured short stories of a mom who successfully reunified with her children with support of the kids’ CASA volunteer, and a foster family that has been welcoming children into their home for 12 years.

CASA Cares was just the latest of CASA’s endeavors that have been adapted for a virtual audience.

CASA has moved all of its information sessions and trainings online, and it will host its upcoming 31st annual Celebration virtually as well.

CASA has trained more than 60 new volunteer advocates since launching virtual training in May – but many more advocates are needed to meet the needs of victimized children in New Hampshire.

CASA has a constant need for new advocates to meet its goal of providing courtroom advocacy for 100 percent of children in need, but this year feels more critical than ever as the possibility of an onslaught of new cases lingers as children return to schools and daycares after having gone unseen for many months by people who are among the most common reporters of suspected abuse or neglect.

To learn more about CASA, sign up for an info session or apply to become a volunteer, go to www. casanh.org.

Carolyn Cote is director of communications for CASA of New Hampshire.

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