Volunteers who help abused and neglected children navigate the court system will be honored at Pierce County Juvenile Court’s annual appreciation luncheon on April 14.

The event will recognize the important work done by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), and honor seven for their outstanding contributions.

The gala luncheon is sponsored by the Schultz Family Foundation, and supported by The Vault Catering Co., The Bamford Foundation and Stirnco Steele Structures. Juvenile Court staff will escort CASA volunteers, juvenile court staff and judges down the red carpet to an Oscars-style award ceremony at The Vault in downtown Tacoma.

Pierce County’s program began in 1983 with three CASAs and has grown to 230 volunteers who advocate for more than 650 children.

The goal is to provide a CASA volunteer for every abused and neglected child in the Pierce County Juvenile Court system. More than 600 children do not have a CASA, so the need for more volunteers is high. The program needs individuals who are thorough, logical, reliable and have 5-10 hours per month available to volunteer. Training is provided nine times throughout the year.

More information is available at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/juvct/dependency.htm .