PERRYSBURG — The Friends of Wood County CASA in collaboration with the Wood County Park District will be
holding the annual Karen Swartz Memorial Walk for CASA at the WW Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White
Road, Perrysburg, on May 31, from 9 to 11 a.m.
The walk is to raise community awareness about child abuse and neglect in the community and promote
volunteer opportunities through the Wood County Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem
(CASA/GAL) Program. The Wood County Park District will have stations throughout the walk with activities
for young and old.
The Wood County CASA/GAL Program provides trained community volunteers appointed by Juvenile Court Judge
David E. Woessner, to advocate for children whose abuse, neglect or dependency cases are being heard in
the Wood County Juvenile Court. The CASA volunteer’s main responsibility is to serve as the “eyes and
ears of
the court” by gathering information about the children’s lives, reporting this information to the court,
and by speaking for the child in court. They are also required to monitor the needs of the child during
the case. These volunteers advocate for the best interest of the child.
The walk is in memory of Karen Swartz who was a coach and athletic director with Rossford Schools prior
to making a 10-year contribution to the Wood County CASA/GAL Program serving as a volunteer coordinator.
As coordinator, Swartz mentored volunteers and advocated for many abused and neglected children in Wood
County as a CASA/GAL volunteer. The walk will not only help to raise awareness but to remember the
significant contribution that Karen Swartz made to the Wood County CASA/GAL program and abused children.

The event is open to people of all ages. Check in begins at 8:30 a.m. with Woessner, speaking at 9 a.m.
There is no registration fee to participate. A donation of $20 or more is requested to receive a
commemorative T-shirt. Pre-registration is available, but you may also register the day of the walk.
Availability of T-shirts is limited and availability cannot be guaranteed for those who do not
pre-register.
Registration forms are available at www.woodcountycasa.org or by calling the CASA office at 419-352-3554.