Community Shows Support for Third Annual Lori Bartling Fundraiser

On Saturday, October 19, 2024 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. Bartling worked with boys and girls homes in Sidney, Sunol and in Brownson, and she was also a huge Husker Football fan.

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 and supporter of PlainsWest CASA and as a person who tirelessly cared for the well-being of children who had to face growing up without parents. This annual event raises money for PlainsWest CASA's scholarship program for foster children and is now in its third year.

It was a beautiful day for Husker football, chicken wings, and for the community to come together to support a great cause. Friends and family gathered together to remember Bartling, while also supporting her lasting legacy that was a cause dear to her heart, Plains West CASA. Krista Bruns, Plains West CASA director had this to say about the annual celebration, "This is our third year working with this event, and we are working towards raising $5,000 for next year's scholarships for the kids in the CASA program. We offer scholarships to any incoming college student, technical school student, trade or vocational school student, and support them throughout their college careers. Every May we accept applications, and every kid gets $1k in scholarship money. The first student we supported is now a senior, and she will be graduating in December."

An impressive array of delicious food was offered and served by Lazy S, including the fan favorites of sloppy joes, hickory-smoked wings, and other game-day finger foods.  

Ron Kissler, Cheyenne County Deputy Sheriff, worked with Bartling for ten years during her time as County Clerk. He remembered her warmly, "Lori was such a humble person and she would be overwhelmed at all the people who have come out every year to honor her memory for such a great cause."

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. If you would like more information about the program or would like to donate, you can contact them at 308-203-1120 or visit their websitewww.plainswestcasa.org

Next year's fundraiser is set for October 11, 2025, again at Lazy S Ranch. 

Author Bio

Kelsey Arrington, Staff Reporter

Cheyenne County native, local business owner.