Friends of CASA, the membership auxiliary of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County, hosted its annual Holiday Luncheon on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point.
What began as a Holiday Tea 30 years ago has grown into one of Orange County’s premier philanthropic traditions, raising more than $8 million since 1995. This year’s event generated over $670,000 in net support for CASA’s mission to provide a powerful voice and meaningful connection for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
The Luncheon was chaired by Liz deSousa of Newport Beach and Marjie Zethraus Mros, a managing director at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Newport Beach, supported by a volunteer committee of 55 members from the Friends of CASA (FOCASA) auxiliary group, led by President Inga Sanders-Marcereau.
A total of 433 guests attended the celebration, which opened with a reception featuring tray-passed champagne and 154 beautifully curated auction packages. A standout feature of the reception was the “Starfish Wish Trees,” sponsored by Barclay Butera Interior Design of Newport Beach, allowing attendees to fulfill holiday wishes for 220 children in foster care, and receive commemorative ornaments designed by Newport Beach artist Timree Gold.
The ballroom and reception spaces were transformed by Elite OC Productions of Newport Beach and Paul Fenner Florals, setting the stage for a captivating Monique Lhuillier South Coast Plaza fashion presentation produced by Shannon Davidson Productions.
Keynote speaker and CASA volunteer Amy Spencer shared a compelling reflection on her four years of advocacy, including her work with a youth involved in both the child welfare and youth justice systems.
Philanthropic momentum was strengthened by a $35,000 matching gift from The Harry Bronson and Edith Knapp Foundation, inspiring guests to further amplify their support for children in foster care.
Special recognition was given to CASA supporters who took the opportunity to become a CASA Starlight, which funds a gift of advocacy to four youths in foster care for a full year through a $12,000 donation.
An exciting opportunity drawing showcased an elegant bracelet featuring 4.87 carats of pear-shaped diamonds, beautifully set in 18K white gold, generously donated by exclusive jewelry partner Lugano of Newport Beach. CASA supporter Sara Taylor was the lucky winner of this $28,000 prize.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1985, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA OC) provides a powerful voice and a meaningful connection for children who have experienced abuse, neglect and abandonment. CASA volunteers provide critical support and important advocacy that focuses on the child’s safety, the efficiency of placement in permanent homes, their educational needs and the child’s overall health and wellbeing. A CASA volunteer is often the only consistent adult in a child or youth’s life who is not paid to support and advocate for them. Please visit casaoc.org to learn more.
