BELTON, Texas — A new record has been set for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties, the largest single donation ever given to the organization.
The donation was made possible by Mike and Sara Dent and Wings, Pizza N Things in Temple, and represented the proceeds from the Fourth Annual CASA Classic Golf Tournament, which was held at Sammons Golf Course on May 20.
According to CASA, the tournament drew 188 golfers and more than 30 sponsors, raising $60,000 for the organization, which supports advocacy services to children in foster care in Bell and Coryell Counties.
CASA said they have set records in new volunteers recruited and the tournament has allowed them to add a new staff position in 2023, and serve more children over the past 3 years, which Mike and Sara Dent said was the goal of creating the event.
“The reason we enjoy sponsoring this event is because once I was introduced to CASA and learned that they existed, I knew it was something I needed to do," Mike Dent said. "CASA did not exist when I was younger and having this tournament has really helped to educate people about what a valuable asset CASA volunteers are for children in foster care during a very difficult time. Each year this event has grown and I know it is because people are moved to support CASA because of what they do for the kids.”
The Dent family presented the check to CASA representatives on June 6, marking the largest ever donation given to the organization.
“Our CASA office is experiencing significant growth and this funding will give us the ability to continue that trend by serving even more kids in need," said CASA Board President Lee Ann Deal. "Continued growth requires money to recruit new volunteers, train our advocates to be effective and provide a supportive staff to keep our volunteers engaged. This donation provides a tremendous boost to our opportunity to provide even more direct services and support by our staff to the communities we serve.”
According to the organization, CASA recruits and trains local citizens to become advocates for children who are removed from their families by CPS due to neglect or abuse and placed into foster care.
Advocates support the children assigned to CASA to "become their voice" and make recommendations to judges and courts for the best interests of the children they serve.
CASA is a nationwide program that started in the late 1970’s. Texas has 74 CASA offices statewide. In Bell and Coryell Counties, CASA says there are more than 1,300 children in the foster care system, with CASA is serving about 400 children in those two counties alone.
CASA says its goal is to serve every child in the foster care system in Bell and Coryell Counties. For more information, or to become a CASA advocate, visit www.casabellcoryell.org or call the CASA office at 254-774-1881.
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