Out & About: CASA gala guests asked to use their 'Powerful Voices'

Founding co-chairs of the new Powerful Voice Society were introduced during the CASA of Westmoreland Inc. 7th Annual Gala, held Nov. 2 at a private club near Ligonier.

The society was founded to help CASA sustain and expand the number of CASA advocates who provide “powerful voices” in making sure children in foster care receive the services they need.

There are children on the “wait list” in need of advocates, said CASA board Vice President Suzanne Ward, who co-chaired the gala with Kelly Smail.

Founders present at the black-tie event were Keith Davis, Barbara Ferrier, Vince Quatrini and state Sen. Kim Ward, along with the Hon. Christopher Feliciani, Joseph Shearer and Scott Turer, who were unable to attend.

They invited others to “Take a Child Off of the List” by giving of their time or financial resources.

Arriving guests were treated to photos, hors d’oeuvres, wines from Bella Terra Vineyards and Stateside Vodka signature drinks. During the after-dinner program, “CASA kid” Idelia Confer of Greensburg — now 19 and a student at California University of Pennsylvania — and her advocate, Flo Jenkins of Greensburg, shared their story.

The evening wound down (or maybe the crowd got wound up) with dancing to music by Protege.

On the guest list: CASA Executive Director Karen Burns with her husband, Tony Rutigliano, Mark Smail, Mike Ward, Richard Cassidy and Megan Bricker, Scott and Jennifer Learn, Keith and Regina Davis, David and Bobbi DeBord, Jen Tyburski and Luke Hanko, David and Ashleigh Riehl, Patti Quatrini, Michael and Megan Quatrini, Chad and Amy Amond, Bill and Rachel Ferguson, Mitchell Samick, Carol Palcic and Kelly Rowe.