Residents have an opportunity to light a candle in recognition of abused children during the national Light of Hope Celebration.

The celebration will create a path of light for abused or neglected children.

The Coles County Branch of the Court Appointed Special Advocate program is joining in the national program, honoring Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month by hosting a candlelight program and fundraiser at 7 p.m. Thursday in front of the Coles County Courthouse on Jackson Avenue.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman and author Stephen Elliot will be guest speakers at the event.

“One of the guest speakers, Stephen Elliot will be selling his book as part of the fundraiser,” said CASA member Teresa Rowell. “The publisher will receive the cost value for the book, and the rest of profits will go to our CASA branch.”

Rowell said CASA cookbooks will be sold as another source of fundraising.

The Charleston First Presbyterian Choir will perform during the event as well as local musician Ryan Groff.

“Motherload performed last year but they had a conflict this year and we found Ryan Groff to perform for us,” Rowell said.

Groff, an Eastern senior music composition major, is working with CASA for the first time.

Groff said a co-director of the event recognized him from his performances at Jackson Avenue Coffee and asked if he was interested in playing for charity.

“I said yes, of course. Since I am from Charleston, I want to be involved and I think a combination of charity and paid performances are good for a musician,” he said. “This is a good charity gig. It is always nice when people are interested in local musicians.”

Groff was asked to perform before and after the speakers and said he will be playing music by James Taylor, Elton John and some of his own original selections.

“I’m going to play light, easy background music, and hopefully give people a reason to hang around after the speakers,” Groff said. “This is a good organization. I hope they are happy with the turnout.”

This is the second Light of Hope ceremony for CASA of Coles County. Rowell said this branch was established in 1994 to help abused children.

“We are a volunteer group that works within the court system to keep children a part of the system for as little time as possible,” Rowell said. “Our goal is to provide abused or neglected children with a safe and permanent home in as little time as possible.”

The local branch has worked with 81 children since the beginning of the year, Rowell said.

Each volunteer advocate has a child’s case that is brought to the court system. The advocate learns all possible information about the child, then makes recommendations to the court based on what appears best for the child, Rowell said.

“We are independent reporters for the court, the judge makes final decisions,” she said.

Daily, more than 8,775 children are reported abused or neglected nationwide. The CASA program was established to help children facing abuse or neglect.