Westminster College Demonstrates Support of ‘Callaway Goes Blue for CASA’ Campaign

Westminster officials joined with members of the Epsilon Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta and local CASA volunteers at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 22 at the Columns to support the Callaway Goes Blue for CASA campaign.

An abbreviation for Court Appointed Special Advocates, “CASA” is a national organization of volunteers who represent abused or neglected children in the court system.

The local awareness campaign took place throughout April, which is designated as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month throughout the United States.

The groups joined together to turn the lights that shine at night on Westminster’s iconic columns from white to Blue Jay blue ― a shade resembling the navy blue in CASA’s awareness campaign.

CASA volunteers Suzanne Guerrant and Linda Williams joined senior Lindsey Bennett, sophomore Maddy Kordick and junior Payton Heevner in a short presentation about Kappa Alpha Theta’s affiliation with the organization, both nationally and locally.

Guerrant then spoke about Heart of Missouri CASA, which serves both Boone and Callaway County. She emphasized the need for volunteers from Callaway, where approximately 189 children are in foster care due to abuse and/or neglect. Of that number, only 89 have a volunteer with the remaining children waiting for someone to change their story.

Joining the two groups at the event were Donald P. Lofe, Jr., President and Chief Transformation Officer; First Lady Lorraine Lofe; Steve Tyrell, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer; board member Tom Christensen; and other Westminster staff members.

“Heart of Missouri CASAs in Callaway County look forward to partnering  with Westminster College’s Kappa Alpha Theta sorority members to raise awareness for CASA, provide lasting contributions as financial supporters whle continuing to be passionate ambassadors for our CASA mission,” Guerrant said. “We also appreciate the support of Westminster’s faculty and staff in supporting CASA within our community.”

Special thanks to Heart of Missouri CASA volunteers for all they do to support the children in Callaway County!