Supporters of the 37th Judicial CASA were treated to dinner and a show for a good cause the evening of Sept. 7 with the child advocacy organization’s yearly fundraiser. The production this year was "How to Enchant a Bookshop" by Todd Wallinger, performed by members of the STAR Foundation and directed by Rebecca Peterson.
The play is set in a struggling bookstore run by optimistic Margie, who is eventually assisted on the sly by two "book fairies" who aim to use magic to assist in her success. One of the fairies, a well-meaning young trainee, goes a bit too far and casts a spell that brings fairytale and classic literary characters to life.
The characters have their own agendas, including the devious and thieving Fagin from Oliver Twist, delusional Don Quixote and annoyingly optimistic Pollyanna. Adding to the chaos are two mice with a literal appetite for Margie's inventory, her high-strung landlord who is demanding past-due rent and a snobbish book collector who is after a rare edition.
Spoiler alert: There is a true storybook ending. Adding to the fun, attendees were encouraged to dress as a favorite literary character, so audience members and volunteers represented, in part, Cinderella, the Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two, and Paul Bunyan.
Local artist Garrett Melby contributed a painting of the Cat in the Hat, sold during a live auction to benefit the 37th Judicial CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Other contributions to the auction were a diamond pendant donated by Rickie David Jewelers and a Zizzer quilt.
A silent auction was also held with donations including those from Rick Ward, Jay Waggoner, Country At Heart, Johnny Hatchet, Rubydoo's Vintage Events, Dixie Soul, Dennis Crider, Heather Smith and baker Jeff Wood.
An online auction of Missouri sports team quilts and paintings donated by South Central Correctional Center's Restorative Justice Program. A total of $21,500 was raised as the result.
The CASA Board of Directors and Executive Director Connie Pendergrass expressed their appreciation to the many people who made the fundraising such a success, with a special thanks to the volunteers who mixed drinks and served food, Director Rebecca Peterson and the STARS Foundation cast "that entertained so well,” an excellent meal by Rubydoo’s Vintage Event Center and successful bidders who added $3,545 to the fundraising effort.
Pendergrass also gave a special thanks to the donors and sponsors who made the event possible: Rickie David Jewelers, Garrett Melby, Great Rivers Distributing, South Central Correctional Center’s Restorative Justice Program, Always a Future for Kids, Rubydoo’s Vintage Events, CASA advocates, Ozarks Healthcare, Pendergrass Farm, Don’s Auto Service, Edward Jones-Regina Gleghorn, West Plains Greenhouse and Nursery, Ozark Marketing, Roger Swanson and Ruth Thompson, Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, Southern Missouri Community Health Center, Edward Jones-Kevin Brown, Trent Well Drilling, T.J. Swift House, Mayfield Auto Repair, Mr. Dent, CARSTAR Gobel’s Collision, State Farm-Justin Shelby Insurance, Ozark Independent Living, Davidson Insurance, West Plains Savings and Loan, John Adams Construction, Wiley Insurance, Rocky Romance Ranch, Assurance Realty, Ray Williams Law Office, McDonald’s, First Community Bank and West Plains Bank and Trust.
The 37th Judicial CASA also thanked everyone who bought tickets and attended the dinner and play. It was a good feeling to see so many people enjoying the evening, and to know that so many want to support the mission of CASA, Pendergrass added.
