Press Release: Team CASA raises over $48,000 for abused and neglected children at the 2018 Baltimore Running Festival

TOWSON, MD. (Oct. 12, 2018) – On Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, more than 170 runners (and walkers) joined Maryland CASA Association and local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs as “Superheroes for Children” at the 17th Annual Baltimore Running Festival. Team CASA raised over $48,000 to expand their advocacy services for abused and neglected children.Maryland CASA Association supports the work of 15 CASA programs throughout the state that recruit and train volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA volunteers are compassionate individuals who speak up for the well-being of abused and neglected children in the foster care system and work to ensure they find safe, permanent, and loving homes.This year, Team CASA was comprised of 179 CASA supporters, volunteers, and board members from throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, as well as California, New Jersey, and New York.“The 2018 running festival was another great event that brought runners, volunteers, and staff together.  It was a great day for running, but the energy and enthusiasm were even better,” said Deborah Blair, Vice President of the Board of Director for Maryland CASA. ”We truly want to thank everyone that participated, volunteered, or donated to this event—everyone’s efforts help increase awareness of Maryland CASA and our mission to provide services for children in the foster care system.”Sporting Team CASA race shirts, this year’s team had runners and walkers of all ages, ranging from 11 to 72 years old including:

• Dan Stafford (College Park, MD) – Wife is a CASA volunteer, and he loves the organization. Stafford ran in the half-marathon and raised over $400 for Team CASA! “We love the organization, so simply running on the team was a real honor and pleasure,” Stafford said.
• Catey O’Brien (Annapolis, MD) – Who chose to run the half with Team CASA when she heard about the event while training to become a CASA volunteer. Catey’s fundraising efforts were amazing, raising $1,710!
• Lisa Lunghofer (Gaithersburg, MD) – Maryland CASA’s former Board President and long-term child advocate who has participated in the Running Festival for Team CASA for many years. While she no longer serves on Maryland CASA’s board, Lisa is still dedicated to the cause, having raised over $1,900 this year.

“We had tons of volunteers and runners who braved the chilly weather to support children in foster care this year and we are forever grateful for their help in fundraising,” said Rhonda Jones, President of the Board of Directors for Maryland CASA. “The event is our major fundraiser of the year and provides the funds to support our efforts to recruit and train more volunteers to advocate for the many children in need who we haven’t been able to serve.”For more information or to support Team CASA, please visit www.GoTeamCASA.org. How to HelpDespite having over 1,300 volunteers serving in Maryland, only 1 in 5 of the approximately 4,700 children under the protection of the courts has an advocate speaking up for their best interests. To learn how you can help children in your community or to make a donation, visit www.marylandcasa.org/get-involved. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and willing to commit to at least one year of advocacy. No special educational background or experience is required. About Maryland CASA AssociationMaryland 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.