CASA of the Eastern Panhandle’s Garden Gala Raises $300,000 to Support Vulnerable Children
Shenandoah Junction, WV — CASA of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) hosted its third annual Garden Gala on September 6 at Rose Hill Farm, raising $300,000 in support of children who have experienced abuse or neglect across Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties.
The event, dedicated to the memory of CASA-EP’s co-founder and Emeritus Board Member Val Smith, drew a record number of sponsors, donors, and community members. Guests were welcomed into an evening of beauty and generosity, from stunning décor and a “Taste of Tuscany” dinner experience to a lively jazz set by the Black Cat Music Cooperative.
One of the evening’s most powerful moments was an original skit written and performed to bring CASA-EP’s mission to life. The program featured Hon. Debra McLaughlin, Judge of the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of West Virginia, CASA volunteer Tyler Tummolo, and CASA participants including grandmother Nancy and two children who spoke about their lived experiences in foster care.
Drawn from the experiences of many families, the skit gave guests an authentic glimpse into the complexity of entering—and hopefully leaving—the foster care system, with all its challenges and competing demands. It illustrated the many roles at play and the difficult decisions families must navigate, while underscoring CASA-EP’s unique role in ensuring that every child has a consistent advocate and trusted voice throughout the process. Guests described the performance as both moving and inspiring, reinforcing the importance of the organization’s work in the community.
The night’s energy carried through to a spirited live auction led by auctioneer Steve Stoliver, inspiring remarkable generosity from attendees.
“This Gala was truly a labor of love,” said Michelle Sudduth, Executive Director of CASA-EP. “I am deeply grateful to our Gala Co-Chairs, Jenna Kesecker and Nicole Bonner, and to the entire Gala Planning Committee—Kerry Asam, Sara Cohick, Kara Gibson, Mary Jane Heffle, Karen Hensell, Jessica Jacot, Joy Lewis, Karen Luttrell, and Kakie McMillan—whose vision and hard work made this event possible. Val would have been so proud of the evening we created together and of the resources we raised to support vulnerable children in our community.”
The evening’s fundraising included extraordinary gifts of $25,000 from the Smith family and $50,000 from Tim and Jennifer Gale/AMS Corp.—contributions made in honor of Val’s legacy and her dedication to making sure children not only have safety and stability, but also the chance to heal and flourish with the support of CASA-EP’s caring volunteers and programs.
“As Maya Angelou said, ‘Your legacy isn’t one thing. It’s every life you touch.’ For Val, that legacy is profound. Over her 22 years of supporting CASA-EP, she helped the organization touch the lives of more than 5,000 children. She leaves behind a legacy of courage, generosity, and a fierce belief that every child deserves safety, healing, and hope,” Sudduth said.
It is a legacy CASA-EP will carry forward, and we invite our community to join us in this work. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit www.www.mycasaep.org.
