CASA of Lexington recognizes life-saving work of volunteers at annual fall festival

CASA of Lexington named Barbara Phipps the Debbie LaBoone CASA Volunteer of the Year at its annual volunteer appreciation fall festival in September.

The event celebrates all CASA volunteers with CASA of Lexington — volunteers who give their time each month to visit with abused and neglected children and speak up for their best interests. Each year, CASA of Lexington’s volunteers help change outcomes for more than 600 children in the family court systems of Bourbon, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Scott and Woodford counties.

“We have a lot of prizes for you today, but it’s still not enough to thank you for all that you are doing,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director.

CASA of Lexington board members Stuart Hurt (house by JSD) and Amy Dailey (Community Trust Bank) also attended and thanked the volunteers for everything they do.

Fayette County Family Court Judge Ross Ewing said he did not think it was possible to thank the volunteers enough for how much they help children in need.

From left, CASA volunteers Nick Luddy and Jan Colbert and Fayette County Family Court Judge Ross Ewing.

“I think you do more than just make a difference in the lives of these kids,” he said. “I think you save lives of kids. I am 100% sure that someone here today has saved the life of a kid. There’s probably someone at your table who has saved the life of a kid.”

Phipps earned the top annual award from CASA of Lexington for working two extremely complex cases at the same time. Both cases involve tension between the biological families and the court system, but Jamison said Phipps has been a calming, consistent presence. She has also dug up information and documents that changed the outlooks in both cases, and built strong relationships with all the children involved.

The Volunteer of the Year award is named after Debbie LaBoone, who served as a volunteer with CASA of Lexington for several years before she died of cancer. Her husband, Frank LaBoone, remains a committed supporter of the CASA mission.

Here are all the other awards presented at the fall festival:

  • Most Miles Driven visiting CASA children: Cynthia Phillips (6,266 miles as of mid-September)

  • Exemplary Court Reporting: Debbie Rurik-Goodwin

  • Excellent Advocacy: Kayla Pelphrey

  • Compassionate Connection: Glenda Dees

  • Kids Champion: Susan Isaacs and Jackie Washburn; and John Mullins

  • Volunteer Recruitment: Terry Huffman

  • Above and Beyond Friend of CASA: Charlie Mattingly

  • Above and Beyond New Volunteer: Katherine and John Cox; and Kelly Furr

  • Above and Beyond Veteran Volunteer: Jane Crickard

To learn more about volunteering with CASA of Lexington, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA of Lexington