The Department of Justice Studies at Fort Hays State University will team up with CASA of the High Plains Inc. to raise money for the organization at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus.

The benefit will feature Joe Drape, an award-winning sports reporter for the New York Times, an author and a motivational speaker, as the keynote speaker. He has won numerous national awards, including the Associated Press Sports Editors award for revealing illegal agent activity in college basketball in 2001. Drape's most recent book, "Our Boys," tells the story of teamwork, dedication and success in the Smith Center Redmen's quest, in 2008, for a fifth consecutive undefeated football season. It became a New York Times bestseller.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) helps when a child has been placed under the protection of family court. Judges often assign CASA volunteers to conduct independent investigations and gather information for the court.

CASA of the High Plains Inc. is a United Way agency that depends on donations to recruit and provide necessary training to volunteers in the 23rd Judicial District, which encompasses Ellis, Gove, Rooks and Trego counties.

Admission for the benefit is $5. Tickets may be purchased by calling the CASA office at (785) 628-8641 or by e-mailing Tammy Lynn, instructor of justice studies, at tjlynn@fhsu.edu.

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