On April 25, 2024 community members attended CASA of Jefferson County’s annual charity auction, ‘When Your Heart is Broken, Make Art with the Pieces’ to show their support for the program’s Court Appointed Special Advocates.

The Annual Awards & Charity Auction, a community favorite event, celebrated three ‘Champions for Children’ in the Madison Community, bringing together over 160 supporters. This event not only serves as a fundraiser, but also highlights the work CASA volunteers are doing for the children who are living in foster care. The evening opened with board president, Dr. Linda Zapp and Judge DJ Mote thanking guests, and touching on the children currently waiting for a child advocate. The goal of the evening was to raise funds for the program to recruit, train, and support new CASA volunteers.

“For the first time in four years, our CASA program is overburdened. There are 72 children being served, and 32 children who are navigating the foster care system alone. What this means for me is there are 32 children whose cases I preside over, without their voice present in my court. Without their voice, it makes it tougher for me to make best interest decisions.“ Judge Mote.

The ‘Champion for Children’ awards are designed to recognize individuals who have displayed commitment and advocacy for children in their professional and personal lives. Among the three  distinguished awards Troy Hedges, executive director of the Jefferson County Youth Shelter, Edward Stigall Jr., Family Case Manager with the Department of Child Services, and Eric Phagan, Artist and teacher were honored. “Each year, the recipients of this award come naturally to us. Troy Hedges has instilled a culture within the Youth Shelter that assists our CASA volunteers in becoming another trusted adult to the children temporarily residing at the Youth Shelter.” Roberts goes on to share, “ Ed Stigall Jr. is a tough FCM! He refuses to give up on his clients, and it creates a situation where those particular clients and their children are more likely to experience reunification. Ed and the CASA volunteers do great work together. Also, this is our second year partnering with Eric on this event, but he has been a dear friend to us for some time. His passion for children to succeed goes beyond measure. It’s wonderful to think of the hundreds of children passing through his safe and supportive classroom every year.”

“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them. Who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.” - Rita Pierson

Another highlight of the evening came when the five “Janie’s Heart” paintings, created by Eric’s Junior High art students under the direction of local artist, Jane Vonderheide, were auctioned for the cause.  The paintings raised a record amount at $10,700 and are the perfect representation of the kindness and passion for children exhibited in our community.  The students not only had a wonderful educational experience in art-making, but also a chance to learn how art can inspire and give back to the community as a whole-touching on the lives of citizens their own age.

“Earlier this year, I wrote an article explaining the rapid pace in which children are currently entering the system. The funds raised at this event will help us tremendously in recruiting more caring adults into our network.” executive director, Whitney Roberts

Brenda Holbrook, Program Coordinator helped to re-envision this event a few years ago. She shares, “This event was the culmination of months of planning and hard work put in by our event committee, our staff and the team of volunteers that made the evening such a huge success. We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout and the support from our community! It really does take a village and the “Jefferson County Village” turned out in a big way to increase the advocacy for the children we serve.  I am so very proud to be part of such an amazing group of dedicated businesses and individuals who make it their mission to support our most vulnerable citizens!”

We would like to thank our community, again for joining us and supporting our very important cause. We are one of many CASA programs that are changing the lives of children everyday. Our work wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated CASA volunteers, and community support. This event is our biggest fundraiser each year, and because of you, it was a record success in many ways. We are truly humbled, and grateful to be serving you, and the children in Jefferson County. Special thank you to Jim Pruett for donating his time and incredible auctioneer energy, Jessica Abbott and her entire TTC/Verizon Wireless crew who are valuable members in the success of this event, and the Hen & Ben Event Center for helping us make this evening memorable for our guests.