On Friday, Sept. 20, Passaic County CASA celebrated a night of child advocacy at the organization’s annual Voices for Children Gala at the Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne. During the evening, Passaic County CASA raised a record-breaking $219,000, which will serve to lift the voices of children in the foster care system by providing each a dedicated volunteer advocate.

The event kicked off with a cocktail hour and continued with a plated dinner, a “Lift Up a Child’s Voice” program, music by Daddy Pop, and lots of dancing. Voices for Children Honoree and former foster parent Karen Walker brought attendees to their feet following an impassioned speech about how she and her husband, the late Charles Walker, tirelessly advocated on behalf of children in foster care. The Walkers were foster parents for 26 children and adopted four children. Charles volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for five years and served nine children.

During the “Lift Up a Child’s Voice” portion of the evening, attendees were surprised when an anonymous donor pledged a $100,000 match. Master of ceremonies Duncan Schieb led the way as the number climbed and reached $100,000.

"This was an amazing collaborative effort on the part of staff, board, donors, and supporters who came together to lift up the voices of our most vulnerable children,” said Executive Director Erica Fischer-Kaslander.

View more photos from the 2019 Voices for Children Gala here.