October 1 – October 31 -Martinsburg, WV. – Every child who has experienced abuse or neglect needs a champion, someone who believes in them and will fight for their best interests. For the third year in a row, CASA of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) is inviting community members to dust off their capes and become superheroes for kids.
For the month of October, CASA-EP is hosting its Superhero Challenge to raise funds and awareness for the most vulnerable children in the Eastern Panhandle.
Unlike a typical road race during which hundreds or thousands of runners gather on the same path at the same time, the Superhero Challenge can be completed at your own pace, in your own way, and wherever you go. Participants can get active however they want during the entire month, all while making a difference for hundreds of children in the Eastern Panhandle.
“The Superhero Challenge was a brainchild of the pandemic in 2020, and now serves as CASA-EP’s main fundraising event with all proceeds advancing our ability to recruit, train and support real-life superheroes who provide advocacy and support to children whose lives have been turned upside down by abuse and neglect,” said Michelle Sudduth, executive director of CASA-EP. “The number of kids in foster care is growing exponentially across the Eastern Panhandle and the need for resources has never been greater. The Superhero Challenge is a critical fundraising event and the more people, teams, and businesses that we have participating, the more awareness and support we can build.”
Run, walk, hike, bike, and get active however you like to support this activity challenge throughout the month of October. Join the fun on your own, with your kids, friends, or colleagues, and get active for a good cause.
“This event has been a great way to have fun, get active, and make a difference for some of the most vulnerable kids in our communities,” said Amy Panzarella, Superhero Challenge committee chairperson and CASA-EP board member. “My entire family participated last year, representing West Virginia, California, and Colorado. We enjoyed the friendly competition with the other teams, and seeing daily posts of folks collecting their miles in creative ways, all to support CASA volunteers and kids.”
Many thanks are owed to the long list of sponsors who support the Superhero Challenge each year. Particular thanks in 2022 goes to Jefferson Security Bank, who is this year’s Champion Sponsor.
“JSB is pleased to be this year’s Champion sponsor. Court appointed advocacy can be the difference between surviving and thriving for hundreds of children. The Superhero Challenge is fun, exciting, and rewarding for all involved and as a community bank, we are honored to participate and help raise awareness for this critical need,” said Mary Álvaro, JSB Community Impact Coordinator.
Nearly 800 children in the Eastern Panhandle are currently involved in cases before the court system due to abuse or neglect. Record numbers of children have been removed from their homes in recent years, largely due to the opioid epidemic, other substance use disorders, and rising poverty in our communities. Thankfully, many of those children— often the most challenging cases—are served by a dedicated CASA volunteer and supported by a highly skilled staff team. But the need has never been greater. More superheroes are desperately needed to help fight for their best interests in court and in the community.
Research has shown children and youth with a CASA volunteer spend 5 months less time in foster care, are less likely to re-enter the child welfare system, and do better in school.
CASA-EP believes that every child who has been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school, and in our community. CASA-EP educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure that each child’s needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system.
Get active in your own way to become a CASA-EP superhero in your community this October. Learn more, become a sponsor, or register to participate at www.www.mycasaep.org or by calling 304-263-5100.
