Bill Collins, program director for Court Appointed Special Advocates, said a fundraiser on Saturday is a major part of the program's annual budget -- and a great family activity.

The seventh annual CASA n Advocates for Kids Run/Walk offers either a mile walk through Helena's historic mansion district or a 5K run.

CASA is a nonprofit nation-wide organization providing trained volunteers who serve as advocates for abused, neglected and abandoned children. There are 400 CASA volunteers serving 900 children in Montana. CASA works to help permanently close cases involving abused and neglected children to ensure the children don't end up back in the state's child welfare system.

The money raised at the event is used to sustain the local program and train volunteers.

"We want to be sure there is a volunteer available for a child whenever there is a case brought to court," Collin said.

Historically, he said, children haven't been well represented in the court system, and CASA is working to rectify that. Volunteers work to ensure the interests of the children can be forefront in the decisions the court renders, Collins said.

Ellen Bush, state director for CASA, said this event is always scheduled in April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"We are looking for opportunities to let people know what CASA is and what CASA volunteers do," she said. "This is a great chance for people to get out and hopefully enjoy nice weather and support the Helena program who support 100 percent of the children who need the casa volunteers."

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com