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<p>PLAINS TWP. &#8212; CASA of Luzerne County took time Thursday night to honor the people who help them help kids in the county who need it.</p><p>CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is an organization that links up volunteer advocates with county children in the foster system, acting as a fixture of stability in their troubling lives.</p><p>Gathering at the River Street Jazz Caf&#233;, CASA recognized its donors who help make the organization thrive.</p><p>Thursday night&#8217;s event comes shortly after CASA&#8217;s annual fundraising event, NEPA Sings, a singing competition in the style of American Idol, which saw King&#8217;s College junior Talia Johnson crowned as the champion.</p><p>Johnson made a guest appearance at Thursday night&#8217;s event, once again singing the song that won her the competition, Whitney Houston&#8217;s version of &#8220;I Will Always Love You.&#8221;</p><p>After her a capella performance, several members of the CASA board spoke to thank the donors for what they do.</p><p>John Aciukewicz, executive director of CASA, said that, thanks to the efforts of donors like those in attendance, the number of volunteers has more than tripled in only two years.</p><p>&#8220;These children have hope,&#8221; Aciukewicz said. &#8220;That&#8217;s perhaps the best thing we can possibly give these children.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Times Leader Media Group Publisher Mike Murray, left, chats with CASA of Luzerne County Executive Director John Aciukewicz and his wife Beth at a CASA donor appreciation event at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township on Thursday evening.  </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042619casa-pk_2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Times Leader Media Group Publisher Mike Murray, left, chats with CASA of Luzerne County Executive Director John Aciukewicz and his wife Beth at a CASA donor appreciation event at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township on Thursday evening.  </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042619casa-pk_1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">NEPA Sings winner Talia Johnson, left, is greeted by CASA board member Anthony Melf as she arrives at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township for a CASA of Luzerne County donor appreciation event on Thursday evening.  </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042619casa-pk_1.jpg</photo1><caption1>NEPA Sings winner Talia Johnson, left, is greeted by CASA board member Anthony Melf as she arrives at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township for a CASA of Luzerne County donor appreciation event on Thursday evening.  </caption1><photoCredit1>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042619casa-pk_3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">CASA of Luzerne County volunteer Kathy Krivenko, center, chats with CASA Advocate Coordinator Annie Ellis at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township at a donor appreciation event on Thursday evening.  </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042619casa-pk_3.jpg</photo2><caption2>CASA of Luzerne County volunteer Kathy Krivenko, center, chats with CASA Advocate Coordinator Annie Ellis at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township at a donor appreciation event on Thursday evening.  </caption2><photoCredit2>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042619casa-pk_4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Guests socialize at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township during a CASA of Luzerne County donor appreciation event on Thursday evening.	 </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_TTL042619casa-pk_4.jpg</photo3><caption3>Guests socialize at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Township during a CASA of Luzerne County donor appreciation event on Thursday evening.	 </caption3><photoCredit3>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

CASA recognizes donors at Jazz Café event