The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Shelby County (CASA) recently graduated 11 new CASA volunteers sworn in as official officers of the court.

Family Court Judge Jim Kramer swore in the following graduates: Georgia Cashion, Becky Coulter, DeAnne Daniels, Vicki Lynn Graham, Richard Gurley, Angie Hoffman, Ann Payton, Candy Palmer, Timothy Vickers, Lisa Waldon and Matt Wilson.

CASA Volunteer Coordinator Mac Stinson said the volunteers can make a tremendous impact.

“This is a great group of volunteers that will be assigned cases by Judge Kramer almost immediately,” Stinson said. “Their work is a valuable resource to the court and to children and families in Shelby County.”

CASA recruits and trains volunteers to go through the court process with abused and neglected children. CASAs are the eyes and ears of the court and provide valuable information in an effort to make the best decision in the child’s case.

Judge Kramer says he can only make decisions as good as the information provided to him. CASAs are instrumental in providing reliable information toward that endeavor. Kramer says his work is made easier because of the time CASAs are able to spend with the children and their families outside of the courtroom, which he cannot legally do.

“They are a huge help to me in my effort to serve the best needs of the children and families I serve. Their work is invaluable to this community,” Kramer said.

CASA of Shelby County organized 13 years ago and has a rich history of helping Shelby County’s Family Court and the children and families it serves. CASA has scheduled its 10th–annual CASA Roast for Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Pelham Civic Complex. This year’s honoree will be District Attorney Robby Owens. The event will begin with a silent auction at 6 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.casaofshelbycounty.org or call 669-4305.

Beth Chapman can be reached by e–mail at bethchapman@bellsouth.net.