HACE Annual Luncheon Set for May 14; ODU Graduate Is Guest Speaker
Old Dominion's Hourly and Classified Employees Association (HACE) will hold its 38th annual luncheon at noon Wednesday, May 14, in the Chesapeake, Portsmouth/Virginia Beach Room of Webb Center.
The program will include the installation of officers for 2014-15 and the presentation of the HACE Staff Member and Rookie Staff Member of the Year awards. There will also be a season football tickets raffle and gift card giveaways.
ODU graduate Season Roberts, executive director of the Virginia Beach Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, will be guest speaker for the luncheon.
For current and new HACE members, the cost of the luncheon, including an annual renewed or new membership, is $15. For all others, the cost of the luncheon is $17. The menu includes lemon chicken, field green salad, spring vegetables, rolls and strawberry cheesecake. A vegetarian entrée is also available.
Luncheon fliers, including reservation forms, are being mailed today all ODU classified and hourly employees. Reservations, including payment (with checks payable to HACE), are due by May 9 and should be sent to Donna Bean, 204B Rollins Hall.
Roberts, the luncheon speaker, graduated from ODU in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in communication and a minor in political science. CASA, the organization she directs, is a dedicated group of volunteers assigned by judges to provide a vital voice for abused and neglected children who are too young to speak for themselves during the complicated maze of legal proceedings.
CASA volunteers are members of the community who receive extensive education and training in order to advocate for abused and neglected children - who through no fault of their own - are thrust into juvenile and domestic relations court and often, into foster care. CASA volunteers watch over and advocate for these children to make sure they don't get lost in an overburdened system. Their ultimate responsibility is to promote safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.