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Community Corner

6th Annual Spin for a Child to Benefit Essex County CASA Set for Sunday, March 2 at 3Sixty Cycling and Fitness Studio in Montclair

Spin for a Child, an exhilarating indoor cycling fundraiser dedicated to raising funds to support CASA for Children of Essex County, will take place at 3Sixty Cycling and Fitness Studio in Montclair, NJ on Sunday, March 2, 2014. Co-chairperson of Spin for a Child, Ami Talkow, who is an Advocate as well as a member of the Board of Trustees, explains why she is involved with CASA for Children of Essex County. "You absolutely cannot imagine the impact a CASA volunteer has on the life of a child.  As an Advocate, you have the ability to report directly to a Judge overseeing a case and give them hands on direction and guidance about what is in the child's best interest.  You truly have the ability to make enormous positive changes in the life of a child within the foster care system.  CASA for Children of Essex County is an organization making an incredible difference in the lives of children who need a voice right here in Essex County.” 
CASA for Children of Essex County (CASA) is an independent, court-authorized non-profit organization that works through specially trained and supervised volunteers to promote the welfare of children in Essex County who have been removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment.  CASA serves as a foster child's "voice in court" working to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available while helping to move the child toward a safe and permanent home.

Spin for a Child will bring local residents together for the 6th consecutive year with the generous support of 3Sixty Cycling and Fitness Studio in Montclair. Mark Cohen will once again open his Studio to host the benefit for CASA for Children of Essex County. "We are so proud to have been a part of Spin for a Child from the very beginning.  This is the real deal.  The dollars raised at this event go directly to ensuring that these kids have a court appointed special advocate, a voice, a guiding hand through the system.  Imagine for a moment the possibility of changing the life of a child," commented Cohen.
BASF Corporation’s very generous $5,000 sponsorship for a third consecutive year has also been a major source of support for this event. Over the past five years this one day event has raised more than $325,000. It has become one of our community's most energizing and rewarding charity events, truly making a difference in the lives of children.  
CASA for Children of Essex County’s Board President, Lori E. Chapin, Esq., is a former CASA Advocate and previously represented the state in child welfare cases as a Deputy Attorney General.  Lori shares that she remains motivated to support and lead CASA because “I have seen firsthand the impact that a CASA volunteer can make on a case.  That extra phone call to a school, relative or potential caregiver---that extra voice speaking up for a child—the extra set of eyes and ears—can literally change the outcome for that one child, forever.”
Participants are urged to join as an individual spinner or bring together friends, family and co-workers to participate and form a team.  Corporate or individual sponsorships are also available.  Interested participants can sign up at www.spinforachild.org or call 973-648-3351.

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