Makua’s Back to the Beach annual fundraiser, benefiting Voices for Children’s court-appointed special advocates (CASA) program, will transport guests back in time with a 1950s-themed island party at the Kona Kai Resort on June 1. The event will feature live and silent auctions, during which guest can bid on experiences like a week sailing on a private luxury yacht and watching the Padres from the dugout seats at Petco Park. The evening also includes dancing and live music performed by Jocko and the Rockets. This year, an anonymous donor will match all contributions from new donors and any increase in contributions from existing donors up to $500,000. The deadline to double donations is June 30. At its first fundraiser in 1953, Makua raised about $1,500. Since 2004, Makua has raised more than $1 million to support Voices for Children. Voices for Children provides foster children with trained advocates who help investigate legal issues, make recommendations about the living placements for a foster child, ensure the child’s progress and success, and facilitate communications with all involved parties in a foster-care case. The goal of this year’s fundraiser is to provide 400 foster children with CASA volunteers and assess cases for 1,200 children waiting for their own advocates. The program’s ultimate goal is to provide a CASA to every child in the foster-care system who needs one. Makua event co-chairwoman and Voices for Children Board liaison Cindy Garrett said in a statement that the program benefits the entire community. “… It affects each and every one of us, because CASAs guide these children to become successful, productive adults who no longer are destined to repeat the mistakes of their abusive parents and caregivers,” Garrett said. “Studies conclude that for every dollar spent on prevention today, seven dollars are returned to the public by not having to pay for welfare, MediCal, police, prison and remedial education services in the future.” Event organizers expect this anniversary fundraiser to sell out early. To become a Makua member, contact the membership director at [email protected]. To reserve tickets, visit www.makua.org .