Maryland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association is recruiting runners and walkers for its charity team, Team CASA, which will participate in the 17th Annual Baltimore Running Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Baltimore City.
Named Charity Partner of the Year in 2015, this will mark the child advocacy organization’s ninth year participating in the city-wide running event.
As "Superheroes for Children," Team CASA members have the opportunity run, walk, or “fly” in either the marathon, half-marathon, 5K or team relay to raise funds and awareness of Maryland CASA’s efforts on behalf of victims of child abuse and neglect. Back again for its second year will be the opportunity to participate in the BaltiMORON-a-thon -- a combination of the 5K and half-marathon races.
Each race takes runners and walkers through the city’s diverse neighborhoods, finishing in 2017’s new location, Baltimore’s Historic Inner Harbor. CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield will be providing free race photos, where participants will have the ability to share all their race photos on Facebook and/or download them at no charge after the race.
CASA Superheroes are invited to the team’s tent in the Charity Village located on Rash Field for free breakfast, lunch, beer, and mimosas before and after their races. Prizes will also be awarded to top fundraisers and finishers.
Today in Maryland, 5,000 children have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse and neglect, more than half of whom are in need of a caring, consistent, and loving adult advocate to speak up for their best interests in court.
CASA volunteers get to know their assigned child/youth and gather information from everyone involved in his or her daily life like medical providers, teachers, school counselors, foster parents, etc. They spend a significant amount of time with the child, gaining his or her trust. CASA volunteers use the information gathered from relevant parties to report to the judge, advocating for the child’s needs while in the foster care system.
“Our team members come from all walks of life – from serious athletes and marathoners to co-workers and families tackling their first 5K – but all are committed to supporting Maryland’s abused and neglected children and helping to find them safe, permanent homes,” said Ed Kilcullen, Maryland CASA’s state director.
Funds raised by Team CASA will support efforts to recruit more volunteers to advocate for Maryland’s foster children. For more information or to register, visit www.GoTeamCASA.org, email teamcasa@marylandcasa.org or call 410.828.6761. To get involved in other ways, by becoming an event volunteer or sponsor, please email Patrick Seidl at Patrick@marylandcasa.org.
About Maryland CASA Association
Maryland (Court Appointed Special Advocates) CASA Association is the statewide organization for 15 local CASA programs that recruit and train volunteers to advocate for children in the child protection system. Last year, 1,371 CASA volunteers served 1,589 children in 21 of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions. Maryland CASA supports the local CASA programs by providing training and technical assistance to program staff, board, and volunteers, as well as increasing public awareness of CASA and assisting with program development. For more information about Maryland CASA or becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.marylandcasa.org or call 410-828-6761.
