Glen Burnie resident to lace up and run for abused, neglected children

For Immediate Release                                                                            Contact:   Patrick Seidl at 410-828-6761 or Patrick@marylandcasa.org

Glen Burnie Resident to Lace Up and Run for Maryland’s Abused and Neglected Children

Glen Burnie, Md. (October 6, 2015) -- Theresa Olson, 35, of Glen Burnie, will support Maryland victims of child abuse and neglect by participating in the Baltimore Running Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17, at M&T Bank Stadium. She will be running for Team CASA, the official charity team of Maryland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring all of Maryland’s abused and neglected children their right to safe and permanent homes.Olson’s earliest involvement with CASA began in 1999 after becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, the first Greek-letter fraternity for women. Over the past 25 years, Kappa Alpha Theta has embraced CASA as its national philanthropy. “As an undergraduate, we fundraised and did a lot of craft projects to support CASA,” said Olson.Her involvement would continue long after her undergraduate career, however. As an alumna, she became the Philanthropy Chair of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter and later the Community Involvement Advisor for the John Hopkin’s Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta.Olson credits the Baltimore Theta Alumnae Group for initiating her service to Team CASA. “I was asked to put out a call for runners a few years ago,” said Olson. “I was able to convince several of my friends to join the team on one condition… that if they joined, I had to join too!”She pleaded her case as a ‘non-runner’ but her friends quickly won her over and she began training. This year marks Olson’s fifth year supporting Team CASA, and she has declared that it won’t be her last. Despite a recent injury that left her confined to a boot for 3.5 months, Olson is confident that she will raise $500 for the 5K. She has been training for four weeks and promoting her fundraiser through social media, co-workers, and past contributors.“I’ve completed many 5k’s, 10 k’s, 5 milers, a dozen half marathons, one marathon, and three 200-mile relays but running as part of Team CASA in 2011 started all of this.” “Having come back from an injury recently, I have no expectations for this race other than to have lots of smiles and talk to some great runners,” she added.“We’re thrilled to have Theresa join us again this year,” said Ed Kilcullen, State Director for Maryland CASA Association.  “She has been an enthusiastic member of Team CASA and brings tremendous energy and commitment to the team.”  Olson will join 164 other runners who comprise Team CASA 2015.  The team’s goal is to raise $50,000 to support CASA’s work on behalf of abused and neglected children.To make a donation in support of Olson’s run, please visit WWW.GOTEAMCASA.ORG and click on “Support a Runner.” General contributions to the team may be made by clicking the “Make a General Donation” link.About Maryland CASAMaryland CASA Association is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ensuring the rights of all victims of child abuse and neglect to grow up in safe, permanent homes. This mission is carried out in partnership with the state’s 15 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, which provide trained volunteer advocates to speak up for the best interests of children. For more information, visit www.marylandcasa.org.

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