his summer, CASA of McHenry County was on the move — sharing our mission, building new relationships, reconnecting with longtime supporters, and finding new ways to invite others into our CASA Community.
Showing Up in Our Community
Throughout the summer, you could find CASA at events across McHenry County. We joined the fun at the Woodstock Pride Parade, handed out stickers and smiles at Project Popcorn at the McHenry Outdoor Theater, and spent time at the Dole and Woodstock farmers markets.
We shared popsicles at the MCYSA Summer International Championship in Crystal Lake, joined the Community Picnic at the Lake during Summer Sunset Festival and celebrated with the community at the Fox River Med Spa Touch A Truck Anniversary Event. We also connected with community members at the Raue Night Owl Bike Ride and other local outreach events throughout the summer.
We were especially grateful for the businesses and organizations that opened their doors to support CASA. The Freeze and Menchie’s in Crystal Lake hosted give-back days, while Club Car Wash and First Watch celebrated their Crystal Lake grand openings with donations totaling more than $8,000 to CASA.
The McHenry Chamber MC2 Networking Group also invited the community to support older youth served by CASA through a gift card drive. These partnerships — along with the many businesses and organizations that donate, host, share, and advocate alongside us — are wonderful examples of how our community continues to show up for children in care.
Every event and partnership gives us an opportunity to introduce someone new to CASA, answer questions about becoming a volunteer Advocate, and share the many ways people can become part of our mission.
Creating Opportunities to Connect
We didn’t just attend events this summer — we hosted a few of our own!
Our second annual CASA Hero Awards brought together Advocates, volunteers, community partners, and supporters to recognize some of the incredible people who continually go above and beyond for children in care.
We also welcomed more than 100 guests for our Multi-Chamber Mixer, bringing together members from seven area chambers for an evening of networking, games, and plenty of conversation. It was a wonderful opportunity to open our doors, make new connections, and introduce even more members of our local business community to CASA and our mission.
Our first BINGO Night created another fun and casual way for community members to connect with CASA — winning prizes, meeting members of our team, and learning more about what it means to become a volunteer Advocate.
And for the first time, we gathered current and former CASA Board members for a Board Luncheon. It was a meaningful opportunity to reconnect, celebrate more than 20 years of CASA in McHenry County, and reflect on the many people, programs, and relationships that have helped shape our organization along the way.
It All Creates a Ripple
Behind every booth, conversation, donation, introduction, and new connection is the same idea: the Ripple Effect.
Someone learns about CASA and tells a friend. A business chooses to give back. A community member attends an event and decides to volunteer. An Advocate shows up consistently for a child.
One connection leads to another, and the impact reaches farther than we may ever see.
Thank you to everyone who stopped to say hello, welcomed CASA into your event, attended one of ours, volunteered alongside us, supported a community fundraiser, or simply shared our mission this summer.
Every connection strengthens our CASA Community and helps us continue to Change a Child’s Story.
Become Part of the CASA Community
There are so many ways to be part of the Ripple Effect — become an Advocate, volunteer at an event, partner with CASA, support our mission, or simply help us introduce CASA to someone new.
Ready to find your place in the CASA Community? Contact Denise at denise@casamchenrycounty.org to learn how you can get involved.