Kimber Bowles shared a personal story about Court Appointed Special Advocates of Hancock County and how it impacted her life. She is now a mother herself.
Submitted photo
MCCORDSVILLE – Transforming stories of children were celebrated in a gala event Aug. 8, a fundraiser supporting Friends of Hancock County CASA.
FOC supports Court Appointed Special Advocates and more than 130 children in Hancock County who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.
The gala at Daniel’s Vineyard in McCordsville featured New York Times bestselling author Ashley Rhodes-Courter, a former foster youth.
The event attracted more than 160 people and raised enough money to support the “Dream Big!” birthday initiative, ensuring that each of the 134 children in the program receives a personalized birthday gift this year.
Rhodes-Courter signed books of her best seller “Three Little Words” and the silent auction sold all 18 baskets ranging in value from $150 to $3,700.
Also at the event, former CASA volunteer Nancy Mann and her CASA child, Kimber Bowles shared their story of their six-year journey together and the impact they made on each others’ lives. Kimber Bowles’ case closed in 2023, but Nancy Mann has remained in her life as a grandmother figure and now a great-grandmother figure to Kimber’s daughter.
Friends of CASA was established as a nonprofit organization to enable fundraising efforts that the county CASA program cannot do. The fundraiser support the “Dream Big!” program for experiences and gifts for children. Birthday gifts are valued at $100 per child, and the program also supports Christmas gifts and a $200-valued wish annually, such as music lessons or sports for children in the program. Friends of CASA also hosts annual events, like fall outings to Lark Ranch and an annual Christmas party.
“This initiative helps bring hope and joy to our community’s most vulnerable children during their most challenging times,” a press release from the organization states.
For more and ways to support the program, visit casahancockcountyin.org.
