CASA Fall Festival Thanks Volunteers for Making a Difference
CASA volunteers, staff and board members pose with pumpkins around the CASA monument at the 2023 Fall Festival volunteer appreciation event.
CASA of Lexington held its annual Fall Festival volunteer appreciation event in September, honoring the efforts of hundreds of CASA volunteers over the past year to provide hope to abused and neglected children.
All current CASA volunteers received a CASA cooking apron, a pumpkin from Shell Farms (and board member Jonathan Shell), a floral arrangement from Rolling Blooms (and board member Heather Barron), a gift card, free food and live music from Stoner Creek Shakedown (with CASA Volunteer Manager Sarah Fightmaster on mandolin).
This was also the first year for the Debbie LaBoone Volunteer of the Year award, which has been named after a CASA volunteer who passed away several years ago and whose family remains strong supporters of CASA’s mission.
Executive Director Melynda Jamison said LaBoone impacted the futures of five children while she was a CASA volunteer.
“The work she did will live on,” Jamison said. “Debbie was so amazing that for this inaugural award, we couldn’t give it to just one.”
The inaugural Debbie LaBoone Volunteer(s) of the Year Award was given to spouses Anne Flynn and Ava Crow, two veteran CASA volunteers who have worked on many cases over the years together.
The following volunteers also received awards for going above and beyond:
Most Miles Driven: Brittney Thomas (2,659 miles)
Most Continuing Education Hours: Virginia Cincotti (134 hours)
Excellent Advocacy Award: Jenn Cathey
Exemplary Court Report Award: Pat Riddell
Compassionate Connection Award: Dan Wu
Kids Champion Award: Ute Keathley
Above and Beyond New Advocates: Julie Creech, Kayla Pelphrey, Kellye Cole and Anna Jones
Above and Beyond Seasoned Advocates: Alex Allouch, Susan Stewart, Michelle Rudzik and Roxana Del Campo
