February 1, 2022
40th Anniversary CASI St. Patrick’s Day Race will be celebrated in March
By Laura L. Kopp, MS
CASI President/CEO
“Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.”
– Nelson Mandela
This March, CASI will celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary CASI St. Patrick’s Day Race! And as we look uphill towards a future post COVID, we want to take the time to recognize and honor the decades of love and support we have received from our runners, our sponsors, and our Quad Cities community.
Many folks have no idea that this fast, flat and fun race is CASI’s largest fundraiser. Raising over $1.2 million dollars through the years to support our mission, the event has become the bedrock of our fundraising initiatives and serves to help support over 5,000 seniors annually. But what does that mean?
- Well, it means that more than 2,000 seniors remain independent in their homes every year through the support of our Senior Advocacy program. This program is free to any senior, in part due to the funds raised through the race.
- It means that close to 1,000 seniors at risk of not receiving a single gift during the holidays, receive at least one gift through our Senior Secret Santa program.
- It means that hundreds of seniors won’t experience a heat related health crisis because of the free fan they received through our Be a Fan to a Senior program. This program is also free to any senior in part due to the funds raised through the race.
- It means more than 1,000 seniors will have access to the 8,000 activities offered onsite at the Center that are all geared towards helping older adults age successfully with both dignity and grace. With only $25,000 in public support for the Activity Center, the Center is almost exclusively funded through our own fundraising efforts.
- It means that 100 seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias receive the support and supervision they need through our Jane’s Place Adult Day Services program, to remain independent with their families for up to 18 months longer than those without access to these services.
The last 22 months have been a unique challenge for CASI. Because a majority of our mission is focused on large group activities and socialization, the center and Jane’s Place were closed for an entire year in an effort to protect those we serve. But as we close in on this special celebration, I am reminded of the years that CASI has had the distinct honor of serving as the Quad Cities premier senior resource. The decades CASI has spent impacting the lives of tens of thousands older adults here in our own back yard. And I am both humbled and honored to call CASI MY Senior Center. I hope you are too!
Laura L. Kopp, MS is President/CEO of CASI, located at 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806. For information call (563) 386.7477 or email info@CASIseniors.org.
