Little Moments, Lasting Memories
After working for several children’s charitable organizations, Casey Baynes, a longtime philanthropist, left to help run her family's business in Baltimore, Maryland. However, after missing a sense of fulfillment, Casey decided to leave that position to follow her heart. Casey initially met with social workers at hospitals and parents of children fighting cancer, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and other life-threatening illnesses to find out how she could lessen their stress and make a difference in their lives. Thus, the Casey Cares Foundation was born in 2000, and began with serving a handful of families.
Although headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Casey Cares is a non-profit that works with families in eight states throughout the Mid-Atlantic, parts of the Midwest, Florida, and in Washington, D.C. The foundation provides ongoing and uplifting programming to over 1,600 critically ill children and their families (including siblings!). Programming includes family-centric events such as tickets to sporting events, live shows, concerts and museums, group parties, birthday surprises, and more! Typically, a child will participate in about six programs each year.
Casey Baynes overcame many personal and business obstacles in her life, including dyslexia. At a very young age, she was told that school would be very difficult. While learning was definitely a challenge, she managed to receive her AA degree before graduating high school, earned a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University and went onto become Towson University's youngest Master's Degree recipient at age 20.
Among her many achievements, Casey has received the "Ravens Community Quarterback Award," Howard County Volunteer of the Year Certificate of Recognition, Baltimore Business Journals "40 Under 40" Outstanding Professionals, Bravo! Entrepreneur Award from Smart Woman Magazine, Unsung Hero Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Maryland Chapter, Young Alumni Award from Salisbury State University, Service Above Self Award from the Rotary Club of Woodlawn-Westview, named one of the Maryland Daily Record's Influential Marylanders, Baltimore SmartCEO Magazine's 25 Bravo! Women Business Achievement Award ("Up and Comer") recipients, named by Kraft to be one of "100 Extraordinary Women" nationally, honored with the Top 100 Minority Business® Enterprise Award, SmartCEO’s Cornerstone Award, and was named Most Admired CEO by The Daily Record. Her work has been featured on Oprah and on the TV show “Secret Millionaire.”
Casey is married to Mike and has 3 children: Mackenzie, Jake and Hunter. They split their time between Maryland and Florida.
Learn more about the work that Casey Baynes does at Casey Cares here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TQA4m5gsBk&t=28s
