Written By: Kayla Fleming
Although the most wonderful time of the year is still six months away, CASA of Walker County brought plenty of holiday spirit to the Lowman Student Center Orange Ballroom during its annual Christmas in July fundraiser.
Organized by Laura Green, the fundraiser united hundreds of community members to support CASA’s mission of providing every child with a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.
CASA volunteers took great strides toward this mission this year, travelling more than 44,000 miles and contributing over 3,200 hours–all in the service of children!
This year’s “Christmas in July” event offered similar support. Terrence Bell–SHSU Alum, local Pastor, and Huntsville High teacher–called 15 rounds of Bingo; Victoria White (Assistant Dean of Students) announced raffle winners; and auctioneer Kevin McMillan led an exciting auction intermission. In all, the event raised some $160,000 for CASA (CASA will release its official and final results later this week), providing needed support for its volunteers and staff.
After placing our tickets for the raffle and grabbing delicious Hawaiian inspired food sponsored by Dealer Solutions Automotive, Jolie Godfrey Mortgage Team, Dr. Victoria Hsiao, and Dr. Glenda Read, it was time for the game to begin! Greg Smith, Director of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home and this year’s presenting sponsor, opened the evening with a prayer.
Although LEAP students had much of the ups and downs of the other participants, we were ultimately shut out of this year’s winnings, much to the dismay of some competitive members.
The Woodwards won twice and Stephanie won one of the raffles!
It was also fun to see the many winners throughout the evening, which offers a good reflection of the fun that was had by all.
While bingo provided plenty of excitement, the children’s art auctions were the highlight of the evening. Before each piece was auctioned, volunteers walked around the room, holding the artwork high while a video highlighted aspects of the art (which was often very touching) and the child who created it, and then the bidding began.
It was truly remarkable to see the members of our community getting into bidding wars to support CASA and the children they represent.
Mayor Russell Humphrey was particularly impactful, spending $24,000 to buy a total of three pieces, giving two back to the children that made them. Tim Rushing was also a strong supporter of CASA, purchasing multiple art pieces and donating tens of thousands of dollars. The auction did not just touch hearts though; it broke records, raising more than $50,000 in total.
Particularly moving was the presence of some of the adoptive parents on hand, couples who were in the process of adopting CASA children.
Seeing them interact with their children’s CASA advocates and the bidders on their children’s works of art was a highlight of the evening.
Just before the last rounds of bingo, Elliott Herzlich on behalf of Elliott’s Jewelers gave out Hawaiian flower Christmas Ornaments so that everyone could go home with a prize, whether they were lucky enough to win something or or not.
Any time you have good people coming together for a good cause, we see familiar faces. Marshall Altom and his wife, the Woodards, President White and Elliot Herzlich, Jason Brandolini and his wife, Victoria White and Jalon Berry, Lois Stehlik, our old friend Macey Schank (who still volunteers for CASA, despite graduating), and the Slaters.
This added to the already festive aspect of the evening, sending us all home with Christmas spirit–and the children of the region in better hands.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 