JIm & Teresa join Big Jake's show this morning to chat about the science experiment in the sky that is piloting a hot air balloon. Be sure to get out and see Good Greeph or Blu E'nuff this weekend at Foundation Park in Centralia for the 35th Balloon Fest! Get more details at https://centraliachamber.com/balloon-fest and be sure to buy those wristbands!

 

Valerie Densler & Brittany Fuqua with Special Olympics of Southern Illinois join Big Jake to talk about this year's Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge. plungeillinois.com for more details! Join the fun at Touch of Nature in Carbondale on 2/24 or Rend Lake's South Sandusky Beach on 3/2.

 
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Hear our presenting sponsors, Tony Wielt from State Farm and Sandy Sinnett with Heritage Woods of Mt. Vernon announce this year's Letters of Thanksgiving winners in Kindergarten - 4th & 5th-8th grades.

 
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Whitney Hodge joins Big Jake's show to discuss the importance of CASA to Jefferson County as well as their upcoming Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser this weekend. Learn more about CASA and how you can become an advocate for foster children in Jefferson County via this interview!

 

We are in serious need of foster parents in this area! However, just because fostering may not be the right fit for you, doesn't mean there aren't other ways to help!

As of 7/31/24, there are 176 Jefferson County children in foster care. Only 92 of those children have a CASA Advocate. The #1 reason that we are not serving 100% of the children is due to a lack of volunteers.

Our volunteers spend an average of 5-10 hours per month advocating for a foster child or set of siblings. Those hours would include meeting with the child monthly, maintaining contact with the caseworker, service providers and CASA supervisor and attending court hearings and case meetings when needed. The CASA advocate is the eyes and the ears for the judge outside of the courtroom and the voice for the child in the courtroom. A New Advocate Training class will begin in October!

 
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