Actress Victoria Rowell was featured speaker at Dallas CASA Luncheon

The Dallas CASA Children’s Council raised more than $100,000 at its fifth annual Cherish the Children luncheon featuring actress Victoria Rowell of “The Young and the Restless” and “Diagnosis: Murder.” The luncheon was held on April 13 at Northwood Club in Dallas and benefitted Dallas CASA.

Commissioner Mike Cantrell, Dr. Anu Partap (Children’s Medical Center), Victoria Rowell, Judge George West.  Photo credit: Dallas CASA

A former foster child herself, Rowell spoke about the need for more compassionate advocates to stand up for abused children by becoming CASA volunteers. She also shared stories from her memoir, “The Women Who Raised Me,” which details her journey through the foster care system and pays tribute to foster parents who made positive influences on her life. Luncheon attendees had the opportunity to meet Rowell and purchase autographed copies of her books.

Victoria Rowell signing copies of her book, “The Women Who Raised Me”

Photo credit: Lara Bierner

Cherish the Children benefits Dallas CASA, an organization of volunteers who serve as voices in court advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children. The Children’s Council, an auxiliary of Dallas CASA, raises funds to benefit Dallas CASA and works to heighten awareness about the plight of abused children in Dallas County.

  

2011 event chair Kristina Whitcomb and 2012 event chair Diana Hamilton

Since the creation of the Children’s Council in 2006, the auxiliary group has raised nearly $500,000 to support Dallas CASA. Most of these funds have come from Cherish the Children. The highlight of the annual luncheon is always the work of local artists and retailers who design and create one-of-a-kind pieces of children’s furniture which are then sold at the luncheon to raise funds for CASA.