24th annual Bluegrass Breakdown raises funds for CASA

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The community once again came together for a great cause at the 24^th annual CASA of Campbell County’s Bluegrass Breakdown held Saturday at the Ball Farm Event Center.

TOP PHOTO: State Representative Dennis Powers, right, and Senator Ken Yager, left, ran a lively auction for more than an hour at Saturday’s Bluegrass Breakdown event for CASA of Campbell County.

The festivities kicked off at 4:30 and ran till 8:30 pm. “Free Rein” kept toes tapping with great music, while State Representative Dennis Powers and Senator Ken Yager ran a lively auction that lasted over an hour from all the “great donations made by community members and businesses.”  Auction items included everything from a homemade apple stack cake made by Rhonda Longmire, jams and jellies made by Rita Goins-Claiborne to airplane rides, pontoon boat rentals, and even a free MRI from Dr. Ron Dubin, just to name a few.

All funds from the event, the live and the silent auction go back into CASA and support local children going through the court system. CASA’s Bluegrass Breakdown is the non-profit organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, according to executive Director Jan Jones, who said the event went great and that the “community support was outstanding.”

Jones said she wanted to thank all who were involved and who helped make the annual event a success.

“We couldn’t do it without the wonderful support of the community. Without the help of individuals, businesses, and volunteers, we would not be able to serve the abused and neglected children in our community,” Jones said.

To date in 2025, CASA has served 23 children (13 cases) whose cases have closed and found safe permanent loving homes.

Guest speakers for the event include Campbell County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Bill Jones, along with David Combs, who spoke on how important the CASA advocates are and the difference they make, “not only in the child’s life but to the families as well.”

Donations to CASA help train and support volunteer advocates to protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected in the community and need the help the most.

CASA currently has 21 children (14 cases) that the organization is advocating on their behalf.

Partnering with CASA of Campbell County provides an opportunity to bring positive change to the lives of vulnerable children.

The CASA Office is located at 165 East Street Jacksboro, TN 37757, and can be contacted at 423-562-2700 or 865-617-9472. For more information you can visit here or check them out on facebook.com/CasaOfCampbellCounty/ or on instagram.

Sponsors for the event included:

Community Partner: $1,000

Lindsay’s Carpet & Paint Center

Advocate Level: $500

Citizen’s Bank, Community Trust Bank, Powell Valley Mulch, Creative Stone Worx, Cross-Smith Funeral Home, Grace Rehab Center, Inc., LaFollette Utilities, The Royal Lunch & Billiards, Maynard’s Wrecker Service, People’s Bank of the South, Springs Dock, United Cumberland Bank, Forks Grove Baptist Church, Linda Kilgore – State Farm Insurance, Big O’s Git & Go, Chapman Hill Winery, Robin’s Nest Market & Antiques

Partner Level: $300

Campbell County Juvenile Court Judge William Jones, H.J.F. Daily Living, LaFollette Housing, Campbell County Mayor Jack & Michele Lynch, C&L Furniture, Ellison Sanitary Supply, Walter’s Funeral Home, Builtwell Bank, ORNL Federal Credit Union, TCAT-Jacksboro, Kristy Anderson, Senator Ken Yager, Lyk-Nu Auto Collision & Services, Campbell United, Fields Real Estate, Holston Gasses

Other Friend Monetary Donations:

Woodson’s Mall, Walter & Tammy Baird, Andrew Sarantapoulas, The Tiki Hut, Brittany Foust, Terry’s Pharmacy, Busy Bees and Hometown Flooring and Dr. Ron Dubin

In Kind Sponsors:

WLAF AM FM TV & DOTCOM

Free Rein

LaFollette Press

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/14/2025-6AM)