Sheriff, deputy’s pie showdown supports Northeastern Indiana CASA efforts

LaGrange County Sheriff Tracy Harker (left) and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Heffelfinger (right) presented their pies to eager CASA Palooza attendees during a bidding war.

ROME CITY, Ind. — It was a good, old fashioned battle of the badges – and aprons – at the 14th Annual CASA Palooza.

LaGrange County Sheriff Tracy Harker challenged DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Heffelfinger to a dueling pie bake-off to raise money for Northeastern Indiana CASA.

The pies were auctioned off to eager attendees at Sylvan Cellars in Rome City on April 25, bringing in a total of $2,100.

Heffelfinger’s peach pie received a winning bid of $1,000 and Harker’s pecan pie reached a top bid of $1,100.

“Over the years, the pie bake-off has become a type of tradition at CASA Palooza,” said Kristi Bachman, NEIN CASA’s executive director. “The pies usually cause a bidding war and this year was no different.”

The pies were just a slice of the unique items up for auction this year.

Fundraising was a community effort as entities and individuals in DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben and Whitley counties – and beyond – donated gift bundles and experiences for the auctions.

Bourbon lovers, entertainment extraordinaires and local explorers alike placed bids on over 73 live and silent auction items.

In total, the organization’s annual fundraiser brought in $58,800.

“We’re so grateful for the communities that rally behind us in our mission to give a voice to powerless children,” Bachman said. “We couldn’t advocate for children without events like Palooza or the generosity of local businesses and community members who make those events possible.”

All funds raised at CASA Palooza go toward supporting NEIN CASA’s training and awareness efforts as well as its mission.“

It brings together people and organizations in the communities we serve all in support of changing a child’s story. We celebrate the work we’ve done but also acknowledge that that work is never finished,” Bachman said.

The organization coordinates volunteers who are assigned by judges to serve as a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) within the five-county area.

CASAs are tasked with advocating for a child’s best interests by engaging with child welfare professionals, educators and service providers.

“We’ve been blessed to receive so much support to continue making our mission a reality in northeast Indiana,” Bachman said.