Charity of the Month
Autism Speaks
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Retinoblastoma Awareness
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Make a Child Smile
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Lewy Body Dementia Assoc.
Red Cross Tsunami Relief
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RT Autism Awareness Found.
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Greg and Fiona's Run
Pal-O-Mine
Dec '03 - Jan '04
The Honeysuckle Foundation
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Tuesday's Children
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Only Make Believe
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Bobby Sherman
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Child Help USA
Huggz from Heaven
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Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
Give Kids The World
Angel Flight NE
Cassidy's Place
The Casey Cares Foundation
Duke Children's Hospital
Hilltop Neighborhood House
Boundless Playgrounds
Kids Beating Cancer, Inc.
Epiphany
The Cody Unser First Step Foundation
Kids For Kids
National Interfaith Hospitality Network
Dreams of Hope
USPS Breast Cancer Research Stamp
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The Casey Cares Foundation
This letter of nomination came from a visitor to our site and serves to beautifully introduce The Casey Cares Foundation:
"I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a very special person and a wonderful organization. It is a great experience to meet an extraordinary young woman. Casey Baynes has followed her heart while helping to make life a little easier for families with critically ill children. I would like to begin by telling you about Casey.
At age 16, Casey was watching television coverage of the flood in the Midwest. After the broadcast, she began to think about what it would be like if all of her possessions washed away. So, with that thought in mind, Casey spearheaded a flood relief campaign that resulted in a huge shipment of clothing and toys for the victims of the flood. While most students were enjoying their last few weeks of summer vacation, Casey delivered flyers and picked up donations. When the Midwest region had enough contributions, Casey delivered the rest of the items to homeless shelters in Baltimore.
Casey has overcome personal struggles. When she was in the third grade, her parents were advised to enroll her in a special education class. She was not progressing as quickly as the other students. She was later diagnosed with dyslexia. She not only succeeded in elementary school; she received her Associate of Arts degree before she graduated from high school. She then received her Bachelor of Arts degree at age 19 and her Master’s Degree at age 20. She is now working on her Ph.D. She manages a family owned business and is pregnant with her first child. To say that her life is full is an understatement. However, she finds time to guide the Casey Cares Foundation.
In June of 2000, Casey founded the Casey Cares Foundation. This non-profit provides programs to children with critical illnesses and also includes chronically ill children who require frequent medical attention. One of the programs “Celebration Vacations” provides wonderful getaways for the families. Due to the high cost of medical care, many families do not have the money to vacation or even go out to dinner. She has been amazed by the generosity of others, and is hoping to form a partnership with a major hotel chain to offer families a weekend away from the stress of medical treatment and the emotional hardships of a critical illness. She also hopes to build a facility in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the families. This would be a permanent facility where families could enjoy time away.
The Family Festivities Program provides families with tickets to the movies, the zoo or even a sporting event. Whenever possible, extras such as snacks or parking passes are included. Children receive a special gift for their birthday. Casey Cares loves to remember birthdays since they are a celebration of life. In a few short months, Casey Cares has served over 150 children and their family members.
Casey’s dedication and enthusiasm is evident to everyone who knows her. It is most obvious when she works with the children and their families. She always tells children to dream with their hearts and she is a shining example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of so many." |
