Martinsburg, W.Va. – Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) brought community members together in friendly competition to raise funds and recruit volunteers to support children in foster care.
Participants in the month-long challenge collectively conquered nearly 8,500 miles, and the community raised an incredible $8,890 in Mile Match donations during the event. Launched in 2020, this do-it-on-your-own-time activity challenge raises funds and awareness to advance the CASA-EP mission of ensuring all children who have experienced abuse or neglect have an advocate working on behalf of their best interests and are given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.
The Superhero Challenge has raised nearly $125,000 over the last four years to support children in foster care served by CASA-EP volunteers.
“As a board member of CASA-EP and chair of this year’s Challenge, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the level of community support and engagement for such an important cause,” said Amy Panzarella, Leadership Coach and HR Consultant. “I enjoyed the competition and the comradery, and I am grateful to so many people, businesses, and other community organizations who believe in the CASA-EP mission and the organization’s ability to truly change the lives of our community’s most vulnerable children.”
lace as a 17-person team, totaling 1,475 miles. The Village Sisters, who won last year’s Superhero Challenge, collected 1,380 miles with 11 active participants. Panzamonium, headed up by Amy Panzarella, finished in third place with 1,101 miles and eight active participants.
Steve Kitner, a participant from Jefferson Security Bank team, led all individual participants this year, conquering a notable 326 miles. The Village Sisters’ Patty Davis came in second place with 290 miles, and Trenton Walker from Luttrell LC finished just behind with 289 miles.
A motivating aspect of this year’s challenge was the prospect of matching miles earned with dollars raised. Top mile-match supporters included ARGOS USA, and teams: The Village Sisters, Rose Hill Farm Headquarters, and Morgan County Magic Makers.
Mile-Matchers not only supported individual teams but they also lent their support and participation encouragement to other community events. Shepherd Consulting and LovelyPixels teamed up to mile-match Superhero Challenge participants in the Kids Fun Run as part of the Freedom’s Run Race Series. Nearly 100 children ran the 1-mile race through Shepherdstown. Freedom’s Run and other area events were one way that participants chose to get involved and put their miles to a good cause.
““My favorite part of the Superhero Challenge is to see our competitive natures and physical activity add up to a good cause,” said Dot Goodman, a CASA-EP volunteer and recipient of the 2022 Val Smith Volunteer of the Year Award. As a Superhero Challenge organizer, participant, member of the leading Village Sisters team, and a CASA-EP volunteer, Goodman knows a thing or two about the work of the organization and how meaningful volunteering and engaging in community events can be. “I want people to know how many children in our region’s foster care system need the support of a CASA volunteer, and if we can have fun supporting this important cause, that’s a really good thing,” said Goodman.
CASA-EP recruits, trains, and supports dedicated volunteers to be the constant in a child’s life – a person they can count on for compassion, guidance, advocacy, and information. This unique relationship expands the child’s world view through enriching experiences and trauma- responsive support. CASA-EP’s volunteers and professional staff fuel the resiliency and hope every child needs to thrive in adulthood.
To find more information about becoming a CASA-EP volunteer or benefactor, visit www.www.mycasaep.org.
CASA-EP believes that every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school, and in our community. To accomplish this, CASA-EP educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure that each child’s needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. Apply, donate, or learn more at www.www.mycasaep.org, call 304-263-5100, or find CASA of the Eastern Panhandle on Facebook.
