Out & About: CASA of Westmoreland gala honors volunteer of the year

Shirley McMarlin
Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 5:00 a.m. | Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 5:00 a.m.

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photos: Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

CASA of Westmoreland advocates (from left) Jennifer D’Souza of Apollo, Gail Macioce of Irwin, Bob Weaver of Greensburg and RoseAnn Orr of Greensburg at the organization’s annual gala held Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

photos: Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

From left: Katie and Mitch Samick, CASA of Westmoreland executive director, with CASA board president David Riehl and his wife, Asheigh, at the organization’s annual gala, Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

photos: Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

CASA of Westmoreland board member Andrea Bortoluzzi, Development Manager Evan Markowitz and Program Director Melissa Burns at the organization’s annual gala, Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

photos: Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

From left: Bob and Dawn Marino and Stephan and Debbie Kowalyk, all of Greensburg, at the CASA of Westmoreland Gala, Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

photos: Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Kathy and Jim Longacre of Latrobe at the CASA of Westmoreland Gala, Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

photos: Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Jeff and Rosemary Spoljarick of North Huntingdon at the CASA of Westmoreland Gala, Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

photos: Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Beth and Steve Teacher of Jeannette at the CASA of Westmoreland Gala, Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

Some people with a heart for helping children in difficult situations were recognized at the CASA of Westmoreland annual gala, held Dec. 3 at The Club at Blackthorne in Penn Township.

The Court Appointed Special Advocates are specially trained community volunteers appointed by family court judges to provide support to children going through the family court system because of abuse and/or neglect by parents or guardians.

The black-tie event kicked off with a VIP reception followed by cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner program and, finally, music and dancing.

Advocate RoseAnn Orr of Greensburg was honored as volunteer of the year.

“Imagine a child in foster care, what they go through and how they feel,” Orr said, giving her reasons for becoming involved with CASA.

Orr has been an advocate for seven years and is working with her third case, a 12-year-old girl.

“I’ll be with her until she ages out (of CASA services) or finds her forever home — which is, of course, what we’re hoping for,” Orr said.

The gala is one of CASA’s “big four” annual events, said Executive Director Mitch Samick. Others include a leadership breakfast, sporting clay shoot and golf and tennis tournament.

Gala proceeds support the recruitment and training of advocates. The event also helps to promote CASA’s Powerful Voice Society, a program in which donors pledge between $300 and $1,500 annually, Samick said.

Gala chair Andrea Bortoluzzi was assisted by committee members Evan Markowitz, Kelly Rowe and Jillian Tocco.

Seen at the VIP reception: CASA of Westmoreland Board President David Riehl with Ashleigh, Katie Samick, Melissa Burns, Dino Bortoluzzi, Jennifer and Ivan D’Souza, Gail Macioce, Jeff Balzer, Bob and Sharon Weaver, Steve and Mindy Markantone, Jeff and Rosemary Spoljarick, Stephan and Debbie Kowalyk, Bob and Dawn Marino, Jim and Kathy Longacre, Barbara Ferrier, Steve and Beth Teacher, Scott and Stephanie Lucas, Brenton and Alysha McCauley, Janeen Moffa and Mark Castin.