Honoring Service: Butler County CASA Volunteer Receives National Recognition for Child Advocacy
Lisa Farthing, the longest-serving volunteer with PARACHUTE Butler County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), has been recognized with the Daily Point of Light Award, a national honor celebrating individuals who make extraordinary contributions to their communities through volunteer service.
Farthing began her journey with PARACHUTE in 1988 as part of its inaugural CASA volunteer training class. Since then, she has advocated for the best interests of 31 children experiencing abuse or neglect, offering stability, compassion, and a consistent presence during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
“It is immensely rewarding,” Farthing said. “Sometimes it’s fun and sometimes it’s hard, but knowing I’m a safe person for the children makes me feel good. I like being that consistent person for them.”
Tonya Buchanan, Executive Director of PARACHUTE, praised Farthing as “a beacon of compassion and respect,” saying her dedication has made a lasting difference for children and families throughout Butler County.
The Daily Point of Light Award, founded by President George H. W. Bush’s Points of Light Foundation, recognizes citizens who embody the spirit of service and civic engagement.
PARACHUTE currently serves around 300 children a year, but Buchanan says more volunteers are urgently needed to meet growing demand. “People already know how to advocate in their everyday lives,” she said. “We just teach them how to do it in the child welfare system.”
Farthing’s decades of service reflect the heart of CASA’s mission, ensuring that every child in the court system has a voice and a champion.
Her work aligns with the best interests of the child and the right to be heard in matters affecting them. Through her unwavering advocacy, Lisa Farthing has given children not just a voice in court but hope, safety, and the assurance that they matter.
