POCATELLO — A three-year rivalry between the Pocatello police and firemen continued recently at the Museum of Clean and a local group designed to aid youngsters of the courts was the big winner.

    The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) held its annual PPD-PFD cookoff to raise funds for this organization of volunteers that judges appoint to speak for the safety and well-being of abused and neglected children. In 2010, this program represented over 500 abused children in the eight counties.

    The goal was for each group – police and firemen – to cook a complete meal, serve it to the assembled multitude, with the winner being decided by the amount of contributions placed in jars in each respective preparation area. The PFD made a traditional spaghetti dinner with a meat and non-meat sauce with garlic bread.

    “It’s an excellent event and we would like to have keep the title, but win or lose, it’s a great cause,” said PFD captain and 11-year veteran Jon Miller.

    The cops, on the other hand, offered a more elaborate meal beginning with a Tuscan bean and vegetable soup with lamb, a chicken/artichoke lasagna baked pesto and cheese bread and dark or milk chocolate cannoli infused with a rosemary and lemon crème.

    Officer Pete Boll, who did most of the cooking, was confident of victory because of both taste and presentation, but was proud to use his talents to assist the group.

    “We support CASA because many of our referrals are the majority they end up representing, anyway,” he said. “So it’s natural for us to be here.

    “It’s tough on us to see children taken out of their homes – through no fault of their own. If it weren’t for CASA, many of these children would be on their own.”

    The attendees enjoyed both meals while the music of Barry White, Lou Bega, Journey and Sam Cooke serenaded the repast. And while the total raised from this third annual affair was still being tabulated, the Pocatello Police Department gained a measure of revenge by defeating the firefighters by a substantial sum to regain the trophy they surrendered last year.

    “They (the police) really outdid themselves this year, they created a complete meal from soup to dessert,” said Cori Hadley, CASA’s executive director. “But everyone seemed to have a wonderful time here tonight. I believe it was a very successful fundraiser. We still don’t know how much we raised from the dessert auction, however. That’s one of our biggest money makers.”

    This event, along with the annual CASA golf tournament are the two main ways the organization brings in contributions. The mission of CASA is to ensure that all children have the right to a safe, nurturing and permanent home, and that all children will have the support of their community when that safety is violated.

    The Sixth Judicial District CASA Program covers six counties including Caribou, Bannock, Bear Lake, Franklin, Oneida and Power County, and it is staffed mainly by dedicated volunteers throughout the community.

    The Sixth Judicial District CASA Program advocates for the best interest of abused and neglected children by promoting and supporting the development of the highest quality Guardian ad Litem services provided by volunteers.

    “Our staff, board and volunteers really made this evening so special,” Hadley added. “And, of course, the media for promoting the cookoff and the public who showed up to support us. We are grateful to everyone.”

    To find out more about the CASA program or how to volunteer, contact Hadley at (208) 232-2272.