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CASA of San Benito County is moving its major fundraiser, Sip Savor & Celebrate, to Swank Farms on May 18 at 3 p.m. The benefit will feature hors d’oeuvres prepared by culinary students at the Kneaded Culinary Academy, wine donated by Scheid Vineyards, silent and live auctions and music by the Moondance Band.
The money raised from the benefit will be used to recruit and train volunteers to become court-appointed special advocates for San Benito County foster children.
“There aren’t many local resources for foster kids,” said CASA Executive Director Rosie Segura. “We’re just there to ensure they’re not forgotten and don’t slip through the cracks.”
Children are referred to the program through Child Protective Services. Segura and case supervisor Olivia Tauvinkl attend court sessions weekly to monitor cases of children who may need their help.
Currently, over 20 foster kids are in the program, each with their own advocate. Screening and training each volunteer costs the organization around $1,000, and CASA hopes to raise at least $20,000 with the May 18 benefit.
“Training involves five or six weeks of twice-weekly in-person sessions,” Tauvinkl said. “Volunteers receive training on best practices for foster kids and child trauma-informed care. They also meet with the departments they will work with, like Health and Human Services, the County Council, and the Offices of Education.”
Volunteers must be over 21 years old and have no history of child abuse. CASA performs background checks and applicants are Live-Scan fingerprinted. Once sworn in and assigned a child to work with, the advocates attend court hearings and gain access to confidential information about the case.
“We also try to match the personality and interests of the volunteer and child,” Tauvinkl said. “The process can sound kind of intimidating, but we try to make it fun and easy.”
The volunteer meets with the child for around 10 hours monthly for informal get-togethers.
“They can take them out of the foster home for a period of time,” Tauvinkl said. “They can take them for a walk in the park, go to McDonald’s, or get them ice cream on birthdays. It is just a matter of spending time with the kids.”
Volunteers are just part of a safety net for the child that includes contact with CASA, their social workers, and their attorneys.
“Child Protective Services is doing a great job,” Tauvinkl said, “but they can’t possibly see everything that’s going on and monitor everything. So that’s where we step in and ensure the kids are still developing and have everything they need.”
The benefit is receiving strong community support through donations to live and silent auctions, including tickets to events, museums and tours, gift certificates, signed sports memorabilia, gourmet foods, artwork and fashion items.
Sip Savor & Celebrate will be held at Swank Farms for the first time, moving from its previous location at Eden Rift Winery. Farm owner Dick Swank said that he is always open to assisting in good causes, like CASA.
“Children are a huge part of any community,” he said, “and underprivileged children need all of our constant support and love. We are fortunate to be associated with this organization and will continue to help CASA whenever possible.”
The food will be prepared by Kneaded Culinary Academy, founded in 2009 by Rebekah Children’s Services. It provides challenged youth and young adults a chance to learn cooking skills, earn high school credits, and gain paid internships and jobs in the food service and hospitality industry.
The benefit will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and tickets are available for $70 through the CASA website.
Sip Savor and Celebrate auction items
- A Day in the Vines with Byington – Tasting and tour for 10
- A Golden Gate Getaway! – The Jay, SF Hotel/ Fine Arts Museum SF /The Third Floor Gift certificate
- A Journey of Flavor! – Big Paw Olive Oil Tasting for 6
- A Serene Retreat to Carmel Valley – Carmel Valley Ranch/Refuge/ Twin Oaks Spa Basket
- A Wine Tasting Trilogy! – 3 wine tastings
- Add A Touch of CASA to Your Casa! – CASA Dish Platter by Bobbie
- Adding Flavor to Your Life! – Big Paw Olive Oil Set
- All’s Fair & Festival! – SBC Fair Tickets/SBC Rodeo Basket & Tickets/Artichoke Festival Tickets
- Baseball & Brews! – 4 Oakland A’s tickets & St. George Spirits gift card
- Beauty Bliss & Style Snip! – Esthetic Beauty Realm Certificate/GelX By Choppy Certificate/DeLux Salon Certificate
- Caffeine Craze Collection! – Dutch Bros/Calavera Coffee/Café con Leche
- Casa de Cravings + Bene! – Casa de Fruta basket/$50 gift certificate
- Cocoa & Corks! – Marich Chocolates & Odonata Wines
- Downtown Dine in San Benito! – La Catrina/Las Micheladas/Heavenly Certificates
- Family Fun Extravaganza! – Great America/Tech Interactive
- For A Fancy Fashionista! – Irma’s fashion/J.McLaughlin
- Gallop Getaway for 2! – Horseback Riding at MB Equestrian Center
- Give Love to Your Locals! – Bertuccio’s basket/$50 gift certificate
- Grab Your Golf Gang & Tee Off to Victory! – Bayonet Black Horse Golf & Golf carts for 4
- Hot ‘N’ Cold Adventure for Two! – Tahoe Ski/Santa Cruz Kayak
- Italian Delights & Wine Night! – Giorgio’s Italian/Lion Ranch Vineyards
- Kayak Quest & Goodies Galore! – MB Kayak/MB Food Tour Tote Goodies
- Little Red Tractor! – C&N Tractors Kubota Pedal Tractor
- Movie Night with The Garden Shoppe – Movie night for 10/dinner/drink
- Pizza & Thrill Fest! – Six Flags/Round Table
- Retail Therapy! – Vuori gift card/hat/purse
- Succulent Sensation! – Ace Hardware succulent pot
- Sunset on Pfeiffer Beach – Douglas Steakley Portrait on Aluminum
- Swank Farms Haven! – Swank Farms Venue
- Take Away Your Worries with Wellness! – Spa Basket by Letty & Rosy
- Tequila Temptations! – Tequila basket
- The Ultimate Party Prep Package! – Charcuterie gift certificate/BD Case
- The Valley Girls! – 40” x 50” ‘Valley Girls’ painting
- The Winter Storm at Merced River – Douglas Steakley Portrait
- Touchdown Treasure! – 49ers Basket
- Welcome to Paso Paradise! – Paso Robles Home/Austin Hope Tasting/Booker/Daou
- Whale Tales & Tasty Trails! – Whale watch/Fisherman Grotto
- Wine Voyage! – O’Neill Yacht/Kirigin Cellars Wine
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