Friends of CASA Works To Support CASA’s Mission
By: Valerie Burchfield Rhodes
The annual Holiday Luncheon benefiting Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA OC) is a glitzy blend of luxury fashion and holiday festivity. The emotional cornerstone of the event always features a compelling keynote speaker who spotlights the needs of youth in the foster care system. This powerhouse fundraiser is planned and executed each year by the hard-working CASA auxiliary, Friends of CASA (FOCASA.)
This year’s Holiday Luncheon will be another special event with South Coast Plaza and luxury fashion partner Givenchy presenting a fashion showcase and pop-up shopping boutique. Author David Ambroz will be the featured keynote speaker and will share powerful stories of his time growing up in the foster care system. David’s personal memoir, A Place Called Home, is filled with humor, resiliency and common-sense recommendations to better serve children and families in need.
Friends of CASA Book Club: Trisha Yount, Nadia Bess, Liz deSousa, Kimberly DeLamar Matties, Janine Wald, Holly Joseph, Colleen Masterson, Debbie Masek, Matthew Wadlinger
FOCASA board members and 2023 Holiday Luncheon Co-Chairs Colleen Masterson and Holly Joseph are leading a team of 60+ volunteers to create the event which will be held on Friday, December 1st at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort. Colleen says, “We’re so excited to be back up to capacity this year and anticipate selling-out all 550 tickets. Volunteers are organizing our spectacular Silent Auction, Gift Bags, Sponsor-A-Child program and Starfish Wishes.”
2023 Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon Committee at Barclay Butera Interiors
Starfish Wishes give supporters an opportunity to fulfill a wish expressed by a CASA youth by purchasing a Starfish ornament, custom-designed by local artist Timree Gold, from one of the beautifully decorated trees at the Holiday Luncheon. Starfish Wishes have included new clothes or shoes, dance lessons, art classes, a chance to attend a summer camp, and Uber cards to help a youth get to and from work.
According to Holly, there are two factors that make the annual CASA Holiday Luncheon so successful. “Each year there are more people involved which grows the demand for the event and allows us to expand the revenue we generate. The other big draw is the consistency of the Luncheon. Every year it’s such a great event that people want to come back and bring their friends.”
Friends of CASA Vice President, Inga Sanders-Marcereau. FOCASA Starfish Ornaments.
Cathie Cardelucci has been involved with CASA since she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority as a UCLA student in the late 70s and CASA was Theta’s national philanthropy. When Cathie moved to Orange County, she continued her association with CASA as a member of the Junior League of Orange County. Cathie was part of a small group of members who were instrumental in establishing CASA OC in 1985 when member Lydia Tyler authored the proposal that launched CASA locally.
Ten years later, in 1995, Friends of CASA was created as a separate auxiliary to raise funds and awareness for CASA OC. One of FOCASA’s earliest fundraising efforts was the annual Holiday Tea. That event has evolved over the years into today’s Holiday Luncheon which has grown tremendously both in scope and net proceeds for CASA.
Cathie remains very active in supporting CASA and currently serves on the FOCASA Advisory Council. She also serves as a liaison between CASA OC and the Theta chapters at local colleges. The local Theta sororities provide volunteers for the Holiday Luncheon, the Celebration fundraiser and as interns at CASA’s offices. Orange County Thetas at UC Irvine and Chapman University also help fundraise with special on campus events such as the "CASA Carnival" and "CASA KATWalk Fashion Show." For the 2023 National Day of Service, Thetas wrote thank-you notes and provided gift cards to advocates they could use on behalf of their youth.
Top Row: Matthew Wadlinger (Chief Strategy Officer), Debbie Masek (Events Manager), Janet Colclaser, Jaynine Warner (Chair), Dana Strader (FOCASA President), Patty Juarez, Cathie Cardelucci
Bottom Row: Lori Jackson, Annette Hellmich, Regan Dean Phillips (CEO of CASA OC), Erika Pedersen (Chief Development Officer), Colleen Masterson
Former FOCASA President and Holiday Luncheon Co-Chair Jaynine Warner serves alongside Cathie on the Advisory Council as Chairwoman. About twelve years ago Jaynine was tapped to reinvigorate the FOCASA organization which was going through a lull in membership and activity.
Jaynine finds her time with FOCASA extremely rewarding since the work feels very mission oriented. “Keeping mission-focused has always been a deep passion of mine,” she says. “When restarting the FOCASA auxiliary, education was so important we made it one of the three pillars of our mission. We held court tours, education luncheons and speaker events where members had the opportunity to hear about the incredible impact CASA is making in the lives of children who have faced some truly terrible circumstances.”
Friends of CASA Members at Orangewood Foundation Kitchen: Sarah Randall, Jennifer Gonzales Oxen, Heather Gil-Lastrina, Sarah Minakary, Lily Randall, Kimberly DeLamar Matties
FOCASA continues to provide a broad range of membership experiences and volunteer opportunities. Members can work directly in the field by volunteering to organize and serve a meal at Orangewood Foundation or by helping out at the annual CASA Picnic. There are also opportunities to spend social time with other members via mixers which typically feature a guest speaker who shares information about CASA’s work. Members also enjoy a FOCASA book club and shopping opportunities where retail partners contribute a portion of their sales to CASA OC.
The camaraderie enjoyed by the members of FOCASA is evident from the number of deep friendships that have been formed over the years of working together on various committees. Many longtime members even have children who have gone on to volunteer with the Kids For CASA auxiliary at their schools, some even starting their own chapters in high school and college.
Sandi Kirby, Valerie Ramsay, Colleen Masterson at Weekend MaxMara In Store Shopping Event
Colleen says, “There are all sorts of ways to get involved as a FOCASA volunteer. Whatever you’re interested in, there are fun planning meetings that provide an opportunity to gather, get motivated, and work with others to plan an event.”
Holly and Colleen are both mindful of the mission of CASA as they work together to plan the Holiday Luncheon. Holly says, “It’s a fine line; we want to create a fun, celebratory atmosphere but we’re here to help youth in foster care. We strive to find a balance between that purpose and holiday festiveness.” Colleen adds, “It’s fun to see a fashion show, but we’re all there for an important reason.”
Cathie agrees and adds, “These children in our community are our legacies - they deserve to be safe and it’s important to help them. If we have the time or the passion to help make that happen, there are so many different ways to get involved either by being an advocate or doing any one of a number of other things alongside the Friends of CASA.
FOCASA Members preparing hygiene bags for CASA Youth: Briana Verham, Sarah Minakary, Alex Miller, Colleen Masterson, Janine Wald, Sarah Vogel, Regina Oswald, Giselle Deese, Natalie Midlock, Dana Strader
Although FOCASA members' efforts are focused on raising funds for CASA OC, they are all keenly aware that elevating the visibility of the organization is just as important. And what’s most needed are more volunteers to train to become advocates. Holly used to be an advocate herself and said, “I think people sometimes have a mental barrier to becoming a CASA due to the perceived time commitment. But people probably spend just as much time on Instagram in a week as it takes to be a CASA. It’s more doable than people think. If it's something you value, you can find time to do it.”
Current FOCASA President Dana Strader agrees that volunteering with CASA feels very fulfilling. “I love CASA. It truly is one of a very few organizations where you can actually see that you’re making a difference. Funds raised go to educate the advocates and mentors. Statistically, you can see how much better a child does when they have an advocate. There is a tangible connection between the fundraising we do, the dollars we give, and the end result with these children. There really is no better organization to support.”
Learn more about how you can join the FOCASA auxiliary, register to attend or sponsor the Holiday Luncheon, or learn about becoming a CASA.
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Inside CASA is a series that provides an in-depth look at different aspects and programs of CASA OC and the child welfare system as a whole. Read our complete of our series on the blog by clicking on the topics below.