Community Stands Up for Abused Children
at 2008 Light of Hope Fundraiser

To generate awareness and support in the fight against child abuse during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region hosted the Eighth Annual Light of Hope Fundraiser on Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Antlers Hilton Hotel. More than 1200 people attended the breakfast and luncheon in support of local abused and neglected children. So far, the event has raised over $315,000, and with late donations still arriving online and by mail, the figure continues to rise.

The 2008 Light of Hope program featured former CASA child, Genevieve Bourgeois. Thanks to the love of her adpotive family, and the dedication of CASA volunteer Donna Pritchard, Genevieve overcame the abuse she suffered as a child and is now a thriving 25-year-old woman with a beautiful child of her own. She has a fulfilling career working with developmentally disabled adults.

This year's program also featured the Madison Stars Children's Choir (Madison Elementary School) who greeted guests as they arrived and performed two inspiring songs, "We are the Future" and "Tomorrow Needs Us." CASA extends our sincere appreciation to director Kay McNeil and her wonderful kids.

A heartfelt thanks to the sponsors, Light of Hope Committee, Table Captains, Antlers Hilton staff, Mesa Ridge High School students, and to all the volunteers who lent their hands and hearts to make the event a great success.

On the eve of its 20th year anniversary, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region has served more than 5,000 children. The generosity shown by the community at this year's Light of Hope event will fund support for 110 additional abused and neglected kids, and help CASA move closer to the goal of serving every child in need.

To make a donation in support of the 2008 Light of Hope Fundraiser call 719-447-9898, x1008 or click here.

Save the Date: The 2009 Light of Hope Breakfast and Luncheon will be on Wednesday, April 21 at the Antlers Hilton Hotel.

New or increased gifts will be matched dollar for dollar by:

Silver Level Sponsors:
Ent Federal Credit Union
Memorial Hospital
The Waymire Group at Smith Barney

Bronze Level Sponsors:

Academy Bank American National Bank Atmel C&C Sand & Stone Colorado Springs Utilities First Bank First Community Bank Grubb & Ellis Holland & Hart Integrity Bank

Johnson & Cord, P.C. Kaiser Permanente Kenton Pass & Company, LLC Lamar Advertising Penrose - St. Francis Health Services Rocky Mountain Bank & Trust T. Rowe Price Wells Fargo Financial Services Wells Fargo Insurance Services

Table Captains Addie Alexander Terri Anderson Bob Armendariz Cindy Armstrong Kay Atwood Colleen Badgley Sunni Ball Lionel Batiste Staci Blair Wayne Bland* Catherine Calvin* Sonia Cantlebary Eve Carlson Chris Carter Sallie Clark Karla Collins Gwen Collins Merri Conley Janet Conover Mary Frances Cowan Dave Dempsey Tina Marie DeWolf Deb DeYoung Kip Dietemeyer Bruce Doyle Stephen Dunham Susan Edmondson Connie & Arthur Eggers Katie Farlow Gail Fernandez Sue Foerster Martha & Lon Frohling Renae Gannon* Peggy Gardner Tamara Geene Julie Gilbert Debra Glisson Meg Goblet Tara Gray

Janis Hahn Cheryl Harding Jane Hegstrom* Nancy Henjum* Tim Howell Angie Hunsinger Michelle Hylton Deb Idleman Dawn Ignatius William Johannsen* Joanne Jones Kat Jorstad Laura Kadlecek Stephanie Kasanicky Meg Kendall* Amy Kircher David Kunstle Andy Laning II Jane Loo Tafari Lumumba* Jane Mapson Wynde Maready Sara Martin Rob McDonald* Kellee McEntee Jennifer McHugh* Ellisa Mondragon Jim & Marion Moore Amanda Mountain Rose Murphy Dan & Nicola Murty Charles Mussi Denise Neal Sherri Newell Kenton Pass* Mittie Pedraza Michael Peltier Paul Perea*

Lori Pinello Rita Randolph Lorrie Reasoner Ed & Ruth Reis Kathleen Ricker Patricia Rodriguez Patti Rogers Nancy Saltzman Bill & Shirley Sanden Stuart Scott* Nan Scranton William Shaner* Carolyn & John Shaw Jim Sherman Sharon Siedler Jan Smith Kelly Sparks Matti Stevenson Mary Stocco Trudy Strewler Amy Sufak Rebecca & Chuck Theobald* Ann Thomas Denise Todd Carol Trelstad Clay Turner* Meredith Vaughn Latonia Viverette Batiste Susan Wahl Joshua Waymire* Terri Wheeler-Powers Kristin Willie Aly Worrell Robert Wrubel Lisa Younger Anderson Liz Youngquist *Denotes board member

Above: The crowd gathers for the lunch presention.

Above: Children from the Madison Star's Choir greet guests as they arrive.

Above: The Madison Stars Children's Choir.

Above: CASA Executive Director, Trudy Strewler.

Above: Former CASA child, Genevieve Bourgeois.

Above: Genevieve's adoptive mother, Ricky Pass.

Above: Choir Director, Kay McNeil with a few of the Madison Stars.

Above: ERA Shields owner/broker and CASA supporter, Bill Hurt.

Above: CASA board member and financial advisor with The Waymire Group at Smith Barney, Joshua Waymire.

Above: Joshua Waymire, former CASA child Tiffany Marie, and CASA Resource Development Director, Jill Wright.

Above: CASA volunteer, Brenda Edmonds and CASA Director of Programs, Mittie Pedraza.

Above: Volunteers help entertain kids in the child care room.

Photos by Devin Richter