The State Office of GAL/CASA and the Indiana Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) began a partnership in 2007 to encourage more retired teachers to become advocates for abused and neglected children. In support of this partnership, each year the IRTA recognizes an outstanding IRTA member who has served as a CASA director, staff member or volunteer. This year, the IRTA Award for the Outstanding Contribution to CASA was presented to Bob Harkness, a volunteer with the CASA of Kosciusko County.
State Director of GAL/CASA Leslie Dunn said, “Bob’s passion for children motivated him to take our training program and become a volunteer in 2008. His actions exemplify the true definition of a CASA.”
Mackenzie Cloutier, Director of the CASA program of Kosciusko County, nominated Mr. Harkness for the award. In her nomination letter, Mackenzie wrote, “Bob never hesitates to help the organization whenever we need someone to do something; he has never said “no” unless he is being deployed on a mission for the Red Cross.” In addition to his commitments on behalf of the American Red Cross, Bob is an active member of the Lions Club and volunteers at his church.