2018 Light of Hope
The 2018 Light of Hope Awards Celebration, held on Wednesday, April 25th, was a fantastic evening honoring those who have been "lights of hope" to children and youth in our community. The annual Light of Hope Celebration raises awareness about the critical role our local citizens have in supporting, nurturing and celebrating the children in Forsyth County. CASA believes it takes a community effort to protect children. Over 200 people were in attendance including many former Light of Hope recipients.
CASA is humbled and honored to recognize the following citizens as 2018 Light of Hope recipients:
- Joan Anderton
- Dr. Jeffrey Bearden
- Corporal Page Cash
- Mariah Clark
- Karin Ewing
- Cindy Morris
- Lucy Murray
- Penny Penn
- Cherie Perkins
- Tracey Smith
- Sheriff Ron Freeman, along with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department, was awarded the 2018 W. Everett Bennett Community Award
- Stephanie Mau and Caitlin Ryan, CASA volunteer advocates, were each awarded the Voice of Hope for their outstanding work advocating on behalf of children
Sandra Stanley delivered the keynote address at the Light of Hope Ceremony. Mrs. Stanley devotes much of her time to foster care initiatives including Fostering Together through Northpoint Ministries. Ashley Baer and Lisa Bennett also contributed their time and spoke to the crowd about their foster care experiences.
Thank you to our Light of Hope sponsors: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Forsyth and Sawnee Electric
To view the special video highlighting the 2018 Light of Hope recipients, click on the YouTube video below or go to the following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/f4AVRMX4nZk
The 2018 Light of Hope program. Congratulations to our 2018 recipients!
Sheriff Ron Freeman, along with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, was awarded the 2018 W. Everett Bennett Community Award by Mrs. W. Everett Bennett. Mr. Bennett was the first CASA Board of Director's Chairman and served CASA for 12 years. CASA is grateful for the commitment and dedication to the children of Forsyth County by Sheriff Freeman and the brave men and women serving in the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department. Pictured (L-R) with Sheriff Freeman are Lisa Bennett, 2016 Light of Hope recipient; Judi Jenkins, CASA Board of Directors Chairperson; Paula Malmfeldt, CASA Exectuive Director; and Lori Pupp, CASA Advocacy Director.
Judi Jenkins, CASA Board of Directors Chair, with Laurie Cole from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Forsyth was one of our valued 2018 Light of Hope sponsors. Thank you to CHOA for their continued support of CASA's mission in advocating for EVERY foster child in our community and making our Forsyth County community stronger and healthier!
The Chattahoochee Elementary School orchestra performed during the Light of Hope reception. They were outstanding! Thank you to Chattahoochee principal, Barbara Vella; orchestra director, Rebecca Gerstenlauer; Travis and Jennifer Boyette; the amazing orchestra students and their parents. We appreciate your excellent performance and hard work!
L-R: Ed Jones, CASA Advocate; Laura Skinner, Jo Beth Harrison, Lori Pupp, and Sheri Ginty, CASA Staff; Jennifer Elwood, Judi Jenkins and Alison Smith, CASA Board of Directors; Heidi Grimmett and Lauren Morris, CASA Staff; Ann Sestrich and Katie Calavan, CASA Advocates; and Paula Malmfeldt, CASA Executive Director.
