True Riches

 

Our county is considered wealthy in the monetary sense. Its true riches are the phenomenal people who give freely of their time, talents, and treasure to make Goochland an exceptional place to call home. Many of these folks do their good deeds quietly, operating below the radar screen, rejecting any recognition for their contribution to the community.

Susan Lascolette presents Ann with resolution of appreciation.

One such person is Ann Casey, who retired as the executive director of Goochland Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) earlier this year. An Irish lass whose distinctive speech patterns identify her as hailing from a more northerly clime, Ann is one of those people who tirelessly pitches in to make things better. She as not born in Goochland but got here as fast as she could.

CASAs advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms. Empowered directly by the court, CASAs provide judges with critical information needed to ensure that each child’s rights and needs in foster care are met. CASA volunteers stay with children until they are placed in loving permanent homes, for many abused children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in their lives. CASA volunteers perform difficult and often heartbreaking tasks—the Lord’s work—with uncommon grace and dedication.

In 2005 Ann was among the first volunteers to complete training and be sworn in to the newly created Goochland CASA program

In 2010, Ann became executive director of Goochland CASA, a position for which she was highly qualified. Her extraordinary devotion to the job grew the program. The number of trained CASAs in Goochland—ten when Ann assumed the post—more than doubled after completing her first training session in 2011. Currently, there are 24 active Goochland CASAs and four people committed to the next class.

At the August 4 meeting of the Goochland Board of Supervisors, Kate Sarfaty, a member of the CASA board of directors commended Ann for her service.

“During Judge Edward D. Berry’s tenure in the Goochland Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (1993-2017) CASA averaged 50-55 cases per year. Under current Judge Deborah S. Tinsley, CASAs average 30-35 cases per year. She did an amazing job growing the organization and raising its visibility in the community. Ann has truly been a voice for the children. She has dedicated herself to promoting advocacy for the children of Goochland County who find themselves subjects of juvenile court proceedings through no fault of their own. We have been very fortunate to have had her commitment to the children of Goochland for these past 15 years.”

Sheila Hyer (l) and Connie Reid (r) present Ann with a  gift from CASA.

In remarks to the board as she introduced her successor, Melinda Tiffany, Ann said she has lived slept breathed and focused on Goochland CASA for the last 15 years. She thanked the board for its support, which helped CASA become recognized as an important part of the community. “I love this county and I have enjoyed and loved every minute of working with social services; the court system; police; and the sheriff’s office.”

The supervisors presented Ann with a proclamation commending her for tireless advocacy for the children of Goochland.

Ann has made other contribution to the community.

Auxiliaries of each of the county’s six fire-rescue companies raise funds to support emergency operations. Described as a “go-getter” and “life of the party” by John Boatwright, volunteer District Chief of Crozier Company 2, Ann served as president of that auxiliary for more than a decade. She was recognized as Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year in October 2012 for her work in 2011.

While head of the Crozier auxiliary, Ann helped the group increase the profitability of its annual Brunswick stew sale, which was cancelled this year due to Covid. She wrote an annual community newsletter that included requests for donations of bottled water for the Crozier fire-rescue providers. The response was so successful that Crozier was able to share its bounty with other stations. Ann also organized highly profitable bake sales.

She turned local opposition to changes to the Crozier village proposed in a periodic update of the county’s comprehensive land use plan into yet another fund-raising opportunity. Ann had yellow tee shirts—to match Crozier’s then yellow emergency apparatus—emblazoned with sketches she drew of business along Rt.6 under the warning “Don’t Mess with Crozier.”  They were sold to support the auxiliary.

Sketches of iconic Crozier businesses.

Closing her remarks to the supervisors on August 4, Ann said: “I lost my husband a year ago, but I’m going to stay in Goochland because this is my home. You have an unbelievable county here.”

The good news is that Ann is not going anywhere. She will continue to support and encourage those around her. Goochland is blessed to have people like Ann Casey woven into the fabric of our community.