ROTARY CLUBS OF BATAVIA, CARPENTERSVILLE & ELGIN DONATE $4250 TO CASA KANE COUNTY

This donation was made as part of CASA’s suitcase initiative, an ongoing drive to meet the needs of up to 250 youth entering each year into the Juvenile Court System. These youth have very few personal belonging when being put into foster care and although CASA works in partnership with the courts for a return home goal to their biological parents, the truth is that only 30% actually return. Most of these young children and teens are moved from one temporary housing unit to another and are sometimes forced to carry their precious belongings in a trash bag. The suitcase initiative strives to give each child that comes into the court system a brand new suitcase to call their own so that they can carry their personal belongings with dignity and self-confidence.  “We are so thrilled to work with these Rotary Clubs, they have been wonderful supporters of CASA Kane County and we really appreciate their help with our suitcase initiative”, commented Lori Hewitt, Director of Development for CASA.

These Rotary Clubs are special organizations of business and professional leaders that strive to exemplify the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self." By joining together with other like-minded persons, Rotarians are able to leverage our time, talent and resources to accomplish more collectively than we could do individually.  Our work includes support for local, national, and international service projects. Working through the Rotary International network, Rotarians promote peace, goodwill, and understanding among people in our community and around the world. They support programs to eradicate polio, fight hunger, provide clean water, promote literacy and alleviate suffering worldwide. By doing these things, they individually gain more than they contribute, and their fellowship extends beyond their own Rotary Clubs and into the members’ daily lives. 

CASA Kane County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system. Last year, 268 CASA volunteers represented 512 children throughout the Kane County area.   For more information about the CASA program and the suitcase initiative, please visit www.casakanecounty.org or contact Lori Hewitt directly at 630-444-3107. 

Photo caption:  Pictured from left to right:  Ed Ritter, Mayor of Carpentersville and honorary member of Rotary Club of Carpentersville; Lori G. Hewitt, Director of Development-CASA Kane County; Brian Borkowicz, President of Rotary Club of Elgin and Bryan E. Barus, President of Rotary Club of Batavia.