Children's Advocates Raise Money, Thank Sheriff For Support

Bergen County CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, held a casino night fundraiser at in Washington Township Thursday.

The group honored Sheriff Michael Saudino at the event for his support of CASA and their cause.

CASA trains volunteers who work with abused and neglected children in the foster care system, according to Executive Director Jennifer Murrin. The volunteers, who work with one child each, help the courts understand each child's specific needs. The volunteers help with everything, from getting the children new glasses to finding them an adopting family or ensuring their biological parents can take care of them.

"We don't want children growing up in foster care," Murrin said. "We just want to make sure it's safe and perfect."

CASA started in 1978 but only reached Bergen County in 2003. There have been 24 classes for volunteers in the county since then. The group works with about 150 children each year, but there hundreds of other children in the county who could use an advocate.

"Children are the future," Murrin said. "If we don't take care of them now, then what's the result going to be?"

For more information about Bergen County CASA, visit their website.