Candlelight vigil to bring awareness

A candlelight vigil Thursday evening on the Capitol Grounds aims to bring awareness to child abuse and remind people they have the power to help, said CASA Director Chris Bayer. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"The point is that we all need to be vigilant and be aware of child abuse and neglect," said Bayer. "This is a place and a time in which everybody, politicians to law enforcement to social workers to CASA volunteers, can get together. We're all just people who care in the end."

The High Desert Post 56 Honor Guard will begin the ceremony at 4 p.m.

Sen. Mark Amodei will speak, following a performance by the Douglas High School Madrigal Singers and Concert Choir.

At 4:30 p.m. Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy M. Saitta will offer her remarks and at 4:40 p.m. Sheriff Ken Furlong will take the podium followed by a performance of "This Little Light of Hope," sung by members of the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada.

"If someone is walking down the street or in the store and they see something they can report it. Or if someone wants to volunteer they can," said Bayer. "In some way everyone can make a difference for these children."

From 5 to 6 p.m. a CASA candlelight reception will be held at Comma Coffee with children's artwork, creative writings and poetry on display.

CASA volunteers advocate for Carson City and Storey County children in child welfare court cases and, sometimes, family conflict cases.