NEWS - Non-Profit Organizations

SBJ Staff Report

Feb 13, 2012 - Savannah/Chatham CASA, Inc. held their first board meeting of the year recently and elected their new Board of Directors. The organization is widely supported by the Savannah business community.

The new executive committee will be: Chairperson, Karen Wilds (Savannah State University); Vice-Chairperson, Stephanie Mobley (Savannah Power Yoga); Secretary, Trudy Gellatly (The Gretsch Company); Treasurer, Ryan Sewell (Bernard Williams Company).

Wilds stated that during her chairman’s remarks that she looks forward to a successful 2012 and the continuous support of board. The Executive Committee will serve in their current role until December 31, 2012.

The Board of Directors also filled board vacancies during the meeting including Rev. Ricardo Manuel (Second Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church); Vernon Taylor, Jr. (IPC International); and Antoinette Scaringi (Premier Consulting, LLC). The new members will undergo Board Orientation in February and join the governing body at that time.

Savannah/Chatham CASA is known for its annual fundraiser, Dancing with Savannah Stars. Held last November, the fundraiser raised over $90,000 for the local child advocacy agency. Winners for the event included: Best Female Dancer – Ginger Fawcett (Liquid Ginger); Best Male Dancer – Jesse Blanco (The Coastal Source); Viewer’s Choice – Don Logana (WTOC-TV); and Top Fundraiser – Katy Moretz (Savannah Neurology). Post-event totals concluded that Ashlea Hilliard Carson (Carey Hilliard’s Restaurant) was the highest fundraiser with the most funds donated towards CASA. The program will host its 5th annual event this November.

Savannah/Chatham CASA is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency that recruit, screen, train, and supervise community volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the jurisdiction of the Chatham County Juvenile Court. Savannah/Chatham CASA is proudly supported through funding from Georgia Department of Human Services - Promoting Safe & Stable Families, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council –State of Georgia, United Way of the Coastal Empire, National CASA, Georgia CASA and direct public support.