CASA Fundraiser In Rumson To Honor Late Founder, Director

RUMSON, NJ — The annual fundraiser for the benefit of CASA in Monmouth County is back after a three-year postponement because of COVID, and it will be an occasion to honor the late founder of the child advocacy organization.

Salt Creek Grille’s 17th annual Wine & Martini Tasting fundraiser for CASA of Monmouth County will be April 27, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., organizers say.

CASA’s founder and executive director, Cindi Van Brunt of Oceanport, died in the fall of 2022 after a six-year battle with ovarian cancer, and she will be the honoree of the event, the organizers said.

She and CASA members in February 2020 presented a CASA flag to the restaurant, in hopes of a fundraiser that year, but COVID concerns placed the gatherings on hold for three years.

That CASA flag has been flying at the restaurant since then, a restaurant spokesperson said. Staff there often explain the flag and the organization to customers. But now the much-postponed fundraiser is finally back.

CASA stands for "court-appointed special advocates for children." It is a national network of 951 community-based programs to recruit, train and support volunteers while they advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities, organizers say. CASA in Monmouth County is now based in Ocean Township.

Volunteer advocates are empowered directly by the courts and offer judges the information they need to ensure that each child’s rights and needs are being attended to while in foster care, the organization says.

Tickets to the event are sold out, but ads for the journal are still available. Contact Marielaina LaRosa at 732-460-9100, ext. 1015, or email marielaina@casaofmonmouth.org for information about the ad journal.

LaRosa, CASA’s director of community development, said of Van Brunt, “Cindi gave her whole heart to CASA, the foster children of Monmouth County, and our office for 18 years. She never let her illness define her."

She said state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, District 13, will be presenting Van Brunt's husband, Jason, and their sons with a proclamation from the State of New Jersey at the event.

CASA volunteers are sometimes the only consistent adult figure in a child’s life, remaining present through all the trauma and chaos they experience on their road to a permanent home, said LaRosa. And, like so many Monmouth County charities, COVID safety measures seriously disrupted their fundraising efforts.

“CASA was unable to hold three of our annual galas, which are our biggest fundraising events,” said LaRosa. “Our children’s lives were even more disrupted, and they were at greater risk of neglect with the world being shut down. But, thankfully, we were creative in our efforts and our volunteers were still able to ensure that these children were continuing to get the support and services they needed throughout the pandemic.”

As in the past, ticket holders to the Salt Creek Grille Wine and Martini Tasting fundraiser will enjoy heavy-hors d’oeuvres, pasta, and carving stations donated by Salt Creek Grille and a raw bar donated by Lusty Lobster.

Tastings include nearly 100 different wine varietals and several distilled spirits – including Tilley’s Vodka - donated by Salt Creek’s vendors who have supported co-owner Steve Bidgood’s past philanthropic events.

And, as in all past Wine & Martini Tasting Fundraisers, 100 percent of the proceeds from the night’s events will go directly to CASA of Monmouth County.

The Salt Creek Grille is at 4 Bingham Ave., Rumson. Call 732-933-9272 or visit www.saltcreekgrille.com for more information.