Leatherby, Sinclair to Speak At Annual CASA Event
by October 13, 2014 12:00 am 85 views
CASA of Northwest Arkansas is hosting its seventh annual Light of Hope events Nov. 18 at venues in Rogers and Springdale.
To accommodate citizens in both Benton and Washington counties, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is hosting a breakfast at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, and a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Springdale.
CASA has been active in Northwest Arkansas for more than 15 years. Julie Lolley, director of development and marketing for the organization, said CASA’s mission is to recruit and train qualified, caring adults to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court, with the goal of moving each child in foster care to a safe, permanent home.
CASA, Lolley said, served 527 children for the year ending June 2014, and its goal for the coming year is to serve 590.
Jack Sinclair, executive vice president of the grocery division for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s U.S. division, will be the keynote speaker at the breakfast. Networking begins at 7 a.m. with the program beginning promptly at 7:30 a.m., concluding at 8:30 a.m.
Dennis Leatherby, chief financial officer for Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale, will give the keynote speech at the luncheon in Springdale. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. with the program beginning at noon.
The events are free, though attendees will be asked to consider making a donation.
“Sadly, there are too many abused and neglected children in our community,” Sinclair said in a statement. “CASA of Northwest Arkansas makes a difference in the lives of those children. I encourage all of you to support CASA in their outstanding work. We should stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.”
Leatherby said he could not be more proud to support CASA’s efforts.
“Our children are our future — they’re everything, and when they are in need, we should step up and be their voice,” he said. “CASA is an organization that speaks on behalf of children time and time again.”
For more information, call 479-725-2213 or visit nwacasa.org.