The Sullivan fairgrounds hosted the first annual Mid Ozark CASA auction on Saturday. Pictured is the Berti family, front, preparing to start the auction.

By James B. Bartle
The Mid Ozark Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) organization, based in Crawford and Dent County, held an auction benefiting the local CASA Chapter on Saturday morning at the Sullivan fairgrounds with over 1,000 items donated for the charity event.
The auction benefited the organization which helps well over 50 children each year that are neglected or abused in their respective family home and are placed in foster care. The Mid Ozark CASA represents the children in court and works for the betterment of each child.
According to Janet Jones, volunteer coordinator, and Mary Heywood, Mid Ozark director, the local chapter is funded by state and federal chapter funding along with local donations. The chapter is in desperate need of funding and has some 30 volunteers and two part-time employees.
“A good portion of our funds depends on donations from within our community and this auction will help tremendously,” said Jones Saturday at the event. “The businesses and the public have been very generous. Berti Auction Service donated their services today for the event and we couldn’t have done this without them.”
Jones stated that the Mid Ozark CASA began discussing this type of event in October 2009 and, once they received a commitment from Berti Auction Service around the first of the year, the event went full speed ahead.
More than 100 people turned out for the event Saturday which not only featured auction items but homemade pies that were also sold along with food and refreshments with all proceeds benefiting CASA.
Jones stated that anyone who could not make the event may still be able to donate to the organization by sending their donation to Mid Ozark CASA, P.O. Box 260, Cuba, MO 65453.