By Madison Fraser | Reporter
The women of Kappa Alpha Theta are closing out their week-long fundraiser for Court Appointed Special Advocates, with their annual special event, CASA 5K.
Each day this week, the sorority paired with a popular local business in a profit share. Eateries such as Pokey-O’s, Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, Freddy’s and Panera all participated in the profit share where, during select hours, a portion of the money earned went to Theta’s philanthropy.
Throughout the week, all-university activities occurred on Fountain Mall. Monday, Pokey-O’s ice cream sandwich food truck was parked from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Kappa Alpha Theta provided free coffee and cookies to students from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The following day, the sorority asked students to join them in writing letters to the children in the philanthropy. Thursday, free donuts were provided from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and today, students are asked to participate in finger painting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each of these events Court Appointed Special Advocates, are benefit the children who are apart of the program through financial aid or gifts for the children.
“It is so awesome for Theta to provide the Baylor community with all of these treats and opportunities to benefit CASA,” said Baytown junior Janna Polvado. “It’s a wonderful organization, and Theta has done a great job at bringing awareness to them.”
Court Appointed Special Advocates is a volunteer advocacy for abused or neglected children going through the court system in the United States. With a volunteer dedicated to their case, these children will have someone who knows them personally speaking up for their best interests and sticking by their side through everything.
“Instead of playing with neighbors and making happy family memories, these kids are attending court hearings, adjusting to new foster homes and transitioning to new schools,” said Weatherford senior Shailee Williams, Kappa Alpha Theta president. “It’s a heavy burden for a child to carry, and yet this is the reality for about 700,000 kids a year.”
To further benefit their philanthropy this week, the women will host their annual CASA 5K, which this year has the theme AmeriCASA, where everything from the All-American tailgate to the paint in the race will be colored red, white and blue.
The race will begin at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 on Fountain Mall. A silent auction will follow, which will include baskets put together from local businesses. To register for the race, Theta has created a website https://baylorthetacasa5k.weebly.com/ for runners to pay the $25 registration fee before the event. If a runner chooses to register at the event, the fee is $30.
The sorority has also created an option for those who are unable to run in the race, but wish to donate to the cause. Dubbed the “Couch Potato” option, those who wish can donate their race registration fee to Court Appointed Special Advocates of McLennan and Hill counties. All money raised will go directly to the local Court Appointed Special Advocates chapter.
“Theta’s hope is for our 5K to unite and educate others on CASA, raise money to support active and emerging volunteers, and to spark passion in others to one day become a CASA volunteer themselves,” Williams said.
Last year’s race earned their philanthropy $10,000. This year, the sorority hopes to double that amount allowing for 20 children in the program to be helped for a year.
“This event is a way for people to do their part in making these children’s lives better by supporting the people who directly work with them,” said Huntington senior Courtney Aten. “Any chance to help an organization that in turn helps those children should be taken.”
