2nd Annual Bartling Memorial Raises Money for PlainsWest CASA

SIDNEY--On Saturday, October 21, the Bartling Family in conjunction with PlainsWest CASA held its second annual Lori Bartling Husker Tailgate Party at the Lazy S Ranch in Sidney. Lori Bartling was the well-known and well-loved Clerk Magistrate of the Cheyenne County Court from July 1, 2010 until her death on January 11, 2022. She was known for her advocacy of children's causes, especially for foster children. In her capacity as Clerk Magistrate, she saw the numerous cases involving the care and treatment of foster children in Cheyenne County, and was deeply involved as an advocate, supporter of PlainsWest CASA and as a person who tirelessly cared for the well-being of children who had to grow up without parents. The annual event raises money for PlainsWest CASA's scholarship program for foster children.

As the kick off time approached for the Nebraska vs Northwestern contest, more and more people began to fill the tables arranged for the event at the Lazy S Ranch, where owners Neil and Angela Scott generously donated the facility and their time for this great cause. Krista Bruns, Executive director of PlainsWest CASA, spoke about Lori prior to the game starting. She said, "Lori would be blown away by this event. She had the biggest heart and was a giver. She had a big passion for children, especially foster children. She saw all of those cases come through the courts over the years, and knowing that she was still able to help, in her honor--she would just be blown away." Lori's husband Mitchell and the Bartling family was in attendance at the event. Mitchell said, "Lori worked with boys and girls homes here, in Sunol and in Brownson. And she was a huge Husker Football fan."

The game started slowly at first, and the attendees enjoyed the smoked pork and chicken meal prepared by Neil Scott. The venue erupted when Husker Malachi Coleman made a spectacular catch in the end zone, his first touchdown as a Cornhusker. The Huskers pulled out the 17-to-9 win, to the delight of the crowd. After the football game, Neil Scott had prepared delicious smoked ribs for those that stayed to watch the Nebraska vs Wisconsin volleyball game, which ended in a Nebraska win over the previously number 1 ranked Lady Badgers. The event raised nearly $4,000 for the PlainsWest CASA scholarship. Krista Bruns said, "This scholarship is really important for the foster kids who go through PlainsWest CASA system. Unlike many scholarships, it provides funding during the recipient's junior and senior years, while many other scholarships only fund their first two years."

Bruns would like to thank all the people who came out in honor of Lori and made the event such a success. Also, a special thank you Shavonne Singleton of Farm Bureau Financial Services in Kimball for her generous $1,000 donation.

Court-appointed special advocate (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers advocate for the best-interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Volunteers work with child welfare professionals, educators and service providers to ensure that judges have the information they need to make the most well-informed decisions for each child. There are 939 state organizations and local programs in 49 states and the District of Columbia with 97,900 volunteers nationwide. But more volunteers are needed. If you would like to volunteer through PlainsWest CASA which serves Cheyenne, Deuel, and Kimball counties, please call 308-203-1120 or write to PlainsWest CASA

PO Box 647, Sidney, NE 69162.