On May 6, CASA volunteer Gary Williams and his wife Denise were honored with the Susan Merrill-Constance Kozel Award at the Peace & Justice Center’s yearly Peace Awards Dinner for their time, generosity, and dedication to their community.

Gary has been a court appointed special advocate since 2014 and is currently on his 4th case. In those years, Gary has donated his time, his compassion, and his consistency to seven children.

He is dedicated and empathetic, two important characteristics of a great advocate.

CASA of Luzerne County is not the only beneficiary of Gary’s kindness.

He is a volunteer tax preparer for CEO, he is a tutor at the McGlynn Center, and a member of St. Therese’s Social Justice Committee. He drives for Meals on Wheels, Dinners for Kids, and the American Cancer Society. He also serves on the boards for The Back Mountain Memorial Library, Dinners for Kids, Luzerne County Head Start, Meals on Wheels, The McGlynn Center, and Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council.

Gary’s wife, Denise, is a lay minister and Mercy Associate. She has been involved in the Commission for Economic Opportunity’s Penny Wars for the Poor for more than 20 years. She is also involved with Fair Districts PA.

Gary and Denise are shining examples of compassion and love for their community and are beyond deserving of this recognition for all they do.

Congratulations to them both!