Annual Mardi Gras Gala Holds Fundraiser for Abused Children

(BAY ST. LOUIS, MS,)-CASA of Hancock County will hold its 3rd Annual Mardi Gras Gala on Saturday, February 1, 2014 from 7pm-midnight at the Bay St. Louis Community Hall on Blaize Street. Di Philheart of the Starfish Café will emcee the event and entertainment will include Pat Murphy & the Jumpin’ Jukes of MS & DJ Dave Mayley. Jimmie Ladner and friends will provide a delicious dinner for all attendance. There will be both silent and live auctions during the evening that include Saints memorabilia, local art, chartered fishing trips, and hotel stays in and around the Gulf Coast.

CASA of Hancock County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that utilizes trained community members to advocate for children who through no fault of their own are involved in the complex and overburdened child welfare and youth court systems.

This event is CASA’s major fundraiser of the year. The organization relies on the communities support to continue this work. Presently, there are 30 volunteers advocating for over 80 children however, there are hundreds of additional children that are unserved by CASA due to a lack of volunteers. CASA hopes to change this by recruiting and training at least 25 new volunteers in 2014. Although the program is comprised of volunteers, there are costs associated with screening, training and supporting volunteer child advocates.

Monies raised from the gala will ensure that the CASA program not only continues to exist but also expands to increase the number of children served.

It is not too late to become a sponsor for this event. Additionally, tickets can be purchased at Maggie May’s on Main Street in Bay St. Louis, Kelly Cannon State Farm on Highway 90 in Waveland, or by calling 228.344.0419.