A family-friendly afternoon with a frog and a toad is the centerpiece of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mercer County’s next benefit, Saturday, February 9, at McCarter Theater. The event begins with lunch by Ultimate Catering, a child-focused silent auction, and illusions by magician Anthony Salazar. A matinee performance of “A Year with Frog and Toad,” the Tony-nominated musical based on Arnold Lobel’s classic children’s book, follows. A dessert reception follows the show. Tickets are $100 for adults and $75 for children. If you already have a ticket to the production, the cost is $70 for adults and $60 for children.##M:[more]##
“We’re excited to be back at McCarter Theater for something as unique and fun as this play and as our reception promises to be,” said Lori Morris, executive director of CASA of Mercer County and a West Windsor resident. “Since we serve children exclusively, this is a very appealing and appropriate way to raise funds for our organization.”
CASA of Mercer County, formed in 2000, is a nonprofit organization that speaks up for the best interests of abused and neglected children. It is one of 950 CASA program offices that advocate for children who have been removed from the home for abuse or neglect and who are facing foster care. In Mercer County, there are currently more than 521 children in out of home placement and CASA serves close to 30 percent of them. CASA’s trained community volunteers insure that needed services and assistance are made available while helping to move the child toward a safe and permanent home.
Christine Calandra, also of West Windsor, is the event committee chair. “This is an exciting honor to help lead the effort on behalf of CASA,” says Calandra. “It’s the only organization that represents the best interests of abused and neglected children in family court. It’s amazing to think about what a life-changing difference an advocate can make in a child’s life.”
This is Calandra’s first event with CASA. “The advocates who work with CASA have a strong dedication to the cause and it has really raised my awareness of the needs of these children,” she says. “I don’t think most people, who are not personally involved in the foster care system, realize how great the needs of these children are. It has been a life learning experience.”
Calandra worked with the Auxiliary of University Medical Center at Princeton’s Fete for 23 years, chaired an area of the benefit starting in 1999, and co-chaired the entire 2005 Groovy Fete that benefited fetal maternal medicine. “I’m very disappointed that there won’t be a Fete this year,” she says. “I’m currently chairing the Frog and Toad event and am a committee member for the Red Cross of Central Jersey’s Paint the Town Red gala in April.”
Her involvement with the event has enabled her to reach out with community members and encourage others to train as advocates. “It hurts my heart to know there are kids in these situations,” she says. “I can do for my own daughter but it is also my responsibility to do what I can for these children who are living in such a desperate situation.”
Calandra was born and raised in West Windsor. A graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, Class of 1994, she graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1998, with a degree in communication and elementary education with a minor in equine science.
Her father, Patrick Greber, is CEO of Mershon Concrete, the family’s business. Her mother, Bettie, is retired from the Space Studies Institute. They have both lived in West Windsor all of their lives.
“My mother started me volunteering as a child, scooping goldfish at the Fete when I was seven,” says Calandra, who worked every Fete except in 1994 when she was hospitalized. “My mom is very involved with several local non profit organizations.”
Her husband, Jeff, is a retirement plan specialist with Merrill Lynch. Their daughter, Grace, born in 2005, already has her own pony and recently started trotting. “She has been going to horse shows for two years now and she’s going to start some little shows this spring,” says Calandra.
Grace was the fourth generation born at the hospital in Princeton. “My Mershon side of the family is documented to have been in the Mercer County area since 1682,” she says.
Calandra’s grandmother, Elizabeth Mershon, purchased Wildflower Farm (www.wildflowers-farm.com) more than 25 years ago. Calandra has been the proprietor of the 28-acre property located at 315 Cranbury Road, close to eight years ago.
“When I took over the farm it wasn’t winterized and didn’t have the lights or the indoor riding arena.” she says. “My family and I have put a lot of hardwork and love into it.”
Calandra has been instructing horseback riding since 1997. “I am very fortunate to get to live my dream,” she says. “I work with these majestic animals, I am surrounded by fantastic students and colleagues, and I have a tremendous passion for instructing.”
A member of the Monmouth County hunt club, she participates in the traditions of fox hunting. She also takes students to shows on Sundays. “I’ve taken four years off from showing, but I compete sidesaddle and am hoping, once my volunteer work is on hiatus, to get myself back to my competitive level.”
“Our goals for the benefit are to provide a fun, memorable experience for the children and adults attending, and introduce CASA to many new people,” she says. “Personally, my goal for this event is to find caring, dedicated people who are willing to become advocates or support CASA in another way.”
— Lynn Miller
Benefit Reception and Theater, CASA of Mercer County, McCarter Theater, Princeton, 609-434-0050. www.casamercer.org. Register. $100, $75 for children. Saturday, February 9, 12:30 p.m.
