Community Corner

Family's Golf Tournament Becomes Charity Fundraiser

Millersville resident Nick Crivella's family golf tournament raises funds for the Casey Cares Foundation.

Nick Crivella of Millersville organized a golf tournament with his brother in 2006 as a way for the family to spend time together before a wedding. Seven years later, that golf tournament has turned into a charity endeavor that has raised $55,000 for the Casey Cares Foundation.

The Crivella family continued their family golf tradition for three years before they made it a charity tournament.

“It started just to have friends and family out before the wedding,” Crivella said. “About 40-50 people came and we kept going with it ... we decided we should take something positive out of it.”

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The tournament raised funds for the American Cancer Society in 2009 and benefited a FBI scholarship fund in 2010. And since 2011, the tournament has been devoted to the Casey Cares Foundation—founded by Casey Baynes to provide programs to critically ill children and their families.

“Casey Baynes, who runs this organization, does a fantastic job. She is on the street working with the children on a day-to-day basis," Crivella said. "Yet she has the know-how to solicit funds and help these children. The mission is what drew us there and the leadership is what kept there.”

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Baynes, a Howard County resident, started Casey Cares in 2000 because she felt there was an unmet need in the community when it came to providing support programs to critically ill children. Since its inception, Casey Cares has grown to help a countless number of children and families.

“Truly, I had no idea it would grow to this," Baynes said. “We have never had to deny the request for an eligible child in our program. We define success by always being able to say yes to our families.”

This year's Crivella golf tournament for the Casey Cares Foundation will be held Sept. 14 at Musket Ridge Golf Course in Myersville, MD—where Crivella and his wife were married. Those interested in registering to participate can visit the Crivella Golf website.

The Casey Cares Foundation is also hosting a golf and tennis tournament at Chartwell Golf & Country Club in Severna Park on June 3. Those interested in registering for that can sign up on the Casey Cares website.


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