Maryland CASA Raises Over $36,000 at Baltimore Running Festival To Support Advocacy for Children in Need

TOWSON, Md. (Oct. 27, 2014)—One hundred forty volunteers, staff members and supporters of the Maryland CASA Association and local Court Appointed Special Advocate programs participated in the 2014 Baltimore Running Festival, raising over $36,000 to continue the Association’s advocacy services for children in foster care.

Ranging in age from 9-66, “Team CASA” members hailed from all over Maryland, as well as Washington, DC; Indianapolis, IN; Hamilton, NJ; Philadelphia and York, PA, and Raleigh, NC.

Some of the participants included:

- Two alumni members of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity of Federal Hill and Glen Burnie: CASA is their designated national philanthropic cause.

- A group of 12 runners (three relay teams) led by a CASA volunteer from Bethesda, MD,

- A runner from Columbia, MD, who has participated each of the six years with Team CASA,

- A 26-year-old school psychologist and top fundraiser of Federal Hill,

- A CASA volunteer, her husband and two young sons from Frederick, MD, and

- A long-term Maryland CASA board member from Annapolis, MD, who organized two relay teams.

“We are so thankful for the many team members and volunteers who came out to support Maryland CASA,” said Ed Kilcullen of Towson, Maryland CASA Association’s state director, who ran in the 5k race for the sixth year in a row. “All proceeds from the event support our efforts to serve more of the state’s children who desperately need advocates to ensure they receive proper care and reach safe, permanent homes,” Kilcullen added.

Runners, volunteers, friends and family alike all gathered at the Team CASA tent for pre- and post-race celebrations. Maryland CASA chose “Be a Superhero” as this year’s theme, which brought a heightened sense of community and excitement at the charity team’s tent. Donning special Team CASA race shirts with ‘Superheroes for Children’ across their backs, runners kicked off the morning celebration with pre-race fueling and after their races returned to enjoy catered BBQ, mimosas, beer, wine, and desserts.

“Being a part of Team CASA is an absolute pleasure,” said Ben Stein, a Columbia, MD resident and six-year supporter of Team CASA. “From their hospitality before and after the race, to meeting the many wonderful people connected with the organization – I can’t think of a better cause to support than children.”

Olivia Lewis, a 26 year-old school psychologist from Federal Hill who ran the half-marathon agreed. “Running for a cause really gave me a sense of purpose while I was completing the race” said Lewis, Team CASA’s top fund-raiser. “I was really nervous the morning of the race, but it was motivating to see other people wearing the highlighter yellow CASA superhero shirts for a cause that is so special to me,” added Lewis.

Team CASA’s goals were twofold– to raise public awareness and to raise funds to support Maryland CASA’s efforts to recruit more volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates to represent the best interests of victims of child abuse and neglect.

“With nearly 10,000 children under court protection due to abuse and neglect, we are constantly looking for additional volunteers to serve as advocates,” added Kilcullen, Maryland CASA’s state director. “This event is so important in raising awareness and needed funds to expand our efforts.”

Last year, nearly 400 individuals completed pre-service training, and CASA volunteers statewide served over 1,500 children. Despite having 1,000 volunteers serving in Maryland, 9 out of 10 of the approximately 10,000 children under the protection of the courts have no advocates speaking up for their best interests.

No special experience is required to become a CASA volunteer; training and supervision are provided by professional staff. Time spent volunteering is flexible and can be completed within the limits of even the most hectic schedule. The average time commitment is 10-15 hours per month.

About Maryland CASA Association

Maryland CASA Association is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that supports the work of 15 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs serving children in Baltimore City and 19 counties throughout Maryland. For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.MarylandCASA.org.

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