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‘Wings for All’ lands at W-B/Scranton International Airport

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Liz Weston: The 6 biggest retirement mistakes, and 1 defense

<p>We&#8217;ve all driven by the Forty Fort Airport at one point or another.</p><p>But most of us have never been inside an airport hangar.</p><p>On Thursday night roughly 400 guests got the opportunity to be at the sold-out &#8220;An Evening in CASAblanca&#8221; affair which turned the inside of a hangar into a Moroccan caf&#233; setting with spirits, passed hors d&#8217;oeuvres and food, cigars and table games.</p><p>How cool it was to see folks dressed as though the 1940s were back again.</p><p>Guests walked into the event on a red carpet, greeted by the many fabulous committee members who spent countless hours ensuring the night went off without a hitch.</p><p>There was a signature CASA martini many enjoyed and plenty of food catered from Metz Culinary Management.</p><p>The evening was magical, and it was heightened by inspirational stories shared on two big screens in front of the hangar during a mid-event program.</p><p>The night serves as a large fundraiser for CASA of Luzerne County, which today provides 69 children in Luzerne County with a court appointed special advocate to look out for their best interests in the foster care system.</p><p>These are kids who may sit quietly during courtroom proceedings as adults decide their fate or housing situation. They&#8217;re children who have been abused or neglected.</p><p>Having an advocate present who understands their difficulties and connects with them on another level is key to them having a better future.</p><p>The training, clearances, recruitment and preparedness of the advocates costs money, and through fundraisers like this one it&#8217;s made possible.</p><p>Executive Director John Aciukewicz and Program Director Anne Ellis shared meaningful remarks, thanking guests and offering their sentiments on the night. They also invited all the advocates present to come forward and stand in front.</p><p>That scene was powerful.</p><p>To see the men and women who dedicate numerous hours to these children and attend their court proceedings really made me think about what a commitment they&#8217;ve made.</p><p>These are the true heroes of the world &#8211; the ones taking time out of their lives to help children who desperately need attention in our own backyards.</p><p>They&#8217;re heroes who&#8217;ve gone and above and beyond. In addition to all the sponsors, they were the true heroes of the night.</p><p>There are more than 500 kids hoping for help in Luzerne County, so new advocates are regularly sought.</p><p>If you&#8217;re ever interested in learning more about the training, process or program, visit www.luzernecasa.org.</p><p>There are a plethora of resources and ways to get in touch with the CASA staff there.</p><p>Or even just attend next year&#8217;s fall event. I&#8217;m sure it will be equally as fabulous as this one was.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Mike McGinley</p><p>Around Town</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mike McGinley is the Times Leader Media Group&#8217;s major accounts executive. Reach him at mmcginley@www.timesleader.com or 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Around Town: A night to remember for a worthy cause