Dallas CASA presents Champion of Children Award Dinner

Dallas CASA is hosting its annual Champion of Children Award dinner at the Fairmont Dallas on Thursday, October 15. The evening centers on the Jan and Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award, which recognizes community leaders whose work has made a real difference in the lives of youth across the city. It's named for the late Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders and his wife, Jan Sanders, and it's meant to celebrate that kind of long-term commitment to children.

This year's honoree is Larry Dolan, who's been a volunteer advocate since 1997. Since then, he's represented 169 children from 62 families in foster care, making him Dallas CASA's longest-serving volunteer advocate. That's a lot of years and a lot of kids. The keynote speaker is Jelani Freeman, an attorney and nationally recognized child welfare advocate who spent time in foster care himself, so he's speaking from his own experience. The dinner is co-chaired by Lael and Peter Brodsky and Cynt and Kenneth Marshall.

Tickets are $500, and sponsorship starts at $2,500. The Fairmont Dallas is at 1717 N Akard St, 75201.