NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — The Schmidt Foundation, the charitable arm of Eagle Media, has awarded a $20,000 donation to Lincoln County CASA to support its work advocating for abused and neglected children.
Lincoln County CASA — short for Court Appointed Special Advocates — recruits and trains volunteers who are appointed by judges to represent the best interests of children in the court system.
Director Janet Vath said the funds will be used to enhance training programs for new advocates and help the organization keep pace with growing needs. She also noted that CASA is actively seeking more volunteers.
“CASA gives children in the system a voice,” Vath said. “We’re grateful for this gift from the Schmidt Foundation, but we also need more people willing to step forward and serve.”
CASA volunteers are community members who complete about 30 hours of training before being assigned to a case. Once appointed, they typically spend 4 to 6 hours a month gathering information, preparing reports, and advocating for a child until the case is resolved, a process that usually takes 12 to 18 months. Click here to become a volunteer.
The Schmidt Foundation, based in Kansas, regularly provides grants across Eagle Media’s service areas, supporting education, culture and quality-of-life initiatives.
Those interested in volunteering with Lincoln County CASA can learn more through the organization’s office or website.