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Lakeway CASA held its 11th annual gala on Tuesday and it was their biggest one yet.

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate is a volunteer-based program dedicated to advocating for children who are abused, abandoned or neglected.

Lakeway CASA hosts its gala every year to raise funds for the program.

This year’s gala was moved to the gym at Walters State Community College to accommodate their growing number of members.

This year they exceeded their goal of $50,000 raising a total of $53,000. Funds raised at the event go towards the program, volunteer training, administrative staff and events.

At this year’s gala they honored couple Laughton and Sharon Seals and presented them with the first ever CASA Of The Year Award.

In 2022, together the Seals put in over 350 hours of work and have helped seven children.

“Many couples don’t realize that they can volunteer together” Executive Administrator Kelley Williams said.

She went on to add, “We have found that couples that have chosen to become volunteers have been some of our best CASAs because they have each other. A lot of times one spouse will be better at getting to know the child and the other spouse will be better at tracking down paperwork, they draw on each other’s strengths.”

Volunteers with CASA go through a thorough training process before the court appoints them to a child.

While it can sound intimidating at first, Williams explains, “The program is designed with a whole support system to aide volunteers as they navigate the process, so a CASA volunteer is never all alone or overwhelmed. Even our well-seasoned CASAs will rely on our advocate coordinators. If there’s ever anything you’re unsure about or worried about, you can always reach out to your advocate coordinator because that’s what they’re there for.”

CASA volunteers will spend time getting to know their child and the child’s situation, they then will write fact-based court reports recommending services and safe placements for the child.

Williams included, “We really like to be team players with case workers, Department of Children’s Services staff and Guardian ad litem. We have this program where our CASAs only take one, maybe two cases and they have a lot more time and can help them. We seek to become a collaborative partner.”

Keynote Speaker Sally Roberts, a former CASA youth, stressed the importance of CASA volunteers for abused children and shared a deeply moving personal testament about how CASA helped her as a young child.

Roberts is now a Quality Analyst and Mentor for Sitel and the Regional Director and Campaign coordinator for United Way Greater Knoxville.

Roberts ended her testimony by saying “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my CASA volunteer, she really helped me to see a different life for myself.”

If you’re interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or would like more information you can call Lakeway CASA at 423-307-5762 or visit their Facebook page Lakeway CASA.