Sandy Weinger's 20 Year Commitment to Fairfax CASA

Sandy Weinger has been a Fairfax CASA volunteer for 20 years. “I can hardly believe it myself”, says Sandy.  Her commitment to CASA was sealed as soon as she received her first case and was introduced to a young Hispanic girl with a long history of sexual abuse. “She immediately gripped my heart. I followed her until she left the system at age 18, and I was even invited to her high school graduation.”  

Sandy went on to advocate for 29 children on a total of 15 cases. She is still going strong and currently advocating on two cases at once.

At Fairfax CASA’s Light of Hope Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, Sandy was awarded the May Cook Heart of Gold Award. This award, the program’s highest honor for a CASA Volunteer, was inaugurated in memory of May Cook.  May served as a CASA volunteer for six years before she died in 2000. A retired grandmother, May was a child of the foster care system and knew firsthand what a tough life that can be.  

For Sandy, the May Cook award has special significance. “I was extremely honored to receive the May Cook award. I remember thinking the first time they [Fairfax CASA] gave it out how special it was for the CASA Volunteer who received it. And now 20 years later it is especially meaningful because I, too, am a grandmother – just like May Cook.