CASA Kane County’s biggest fundraiser of the year — the annual Children’s Champion Celebration — is set for Saturday, March 5, at the Q Center in St. Charles.

“This year’s theme Venetian Masquerade Ball will transport you to a romantic Italian setting that will leave you breathless,” CASA says in its announcement of the event.

Guests will enjoy “extraordinary entertainment, experiences and unique items up for bid along with a glamorous evening of dinner and dancing with the featured band SODA,” CASA said.

Last year’s event entertained nearly 750 guests, and CASA Kane County hopes to exceed that number this year.

The event co-chairs are Vicky Rullo of the Rullo Team, RE/MAX Great American and Laurel Novak of Bison Gear. CASA Kane County recognizes Ron and Elena Onesti of the Arcada Theatre as this year’s honorary chairpersons. The Onestis played a pivotal role in CASA Kane County’s Benefit Concert in 2015, which supported CASA’s Endowment Fund. Ron Onesti continues to support the Children’s Champion Celebration as MC of this year’s event.

The Children’s Champion award recipients will be Tim and Marcia Kellenberger of Kellenberger Electric.   Kellenberger Electric was one of the main contractors that generously supported the build out office expansion project for CASA in the Historic Geneva Courthouse. Marcia is an incredibly caring and active CASA volunteer who is advocating for our youth!

“It was an easy decision when selecting our two honored couples this year for the CASA Gala. They are people in our community who go above and beyond in support of our most vulnerable youth in our community. When we request support, they don’t hesitate and quickly ask when and how soon — not ‘let me think about it,’ ” said Gloria Bunce, executive director.

Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on extraordinary auction items such as private upscale dining experiences, unique destination vacation packages, popular Chicago sporting team tickets, VIP theatre packages with luxury transportation and more!

Winners of the Grand Raffle need not be present to win and raffle items can be viewed on our website. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $20 each or seven for $100 by calling the CASA Kane County office at 630-232-4484. Look for more information on the CASA Kane County website at www.casakanecounty.org that will list additional auction items and more detailed descriptions as they are received.

Tickets to attend the Venetian Masquerade Ball event are $150 per person and may be purchased by calling the CASA Kane County office at 630-232-4484. Funds raised from this event will help support the more than 600 abused and neglected children that CASA Kane County serves as appointed by the courts.

About CASA Kane County

For nearly 30 years, CASA Kane County has been recruiting, training and supervising community volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Guardian ad Litem for children in court due to abuse, neglect or private guardianship. The CASA volunteer acts as the eyes and ears of the judge to help make the best decision for a safe, caring and permanent home for each child. The organization serves 100 percent of all abuse/neglect and private guardianship cases in the 16th Judicial Circuit of Kane County and has been doing this since 2002. CASA Kane County’s 15 staff and 250 active CASA/GAL volunteers advocate for more than 600 children annually! For more information, visit the CASA Kane County website and Facebook page.