Five years ago, Casey Cares was let in on a big secret.

A millionaire named Anne Beiler, the founder of the popular Auntie Anne’s Pretzels chain, walked into the Casey Cares offices but hid her identity from staffers. Posing as a volunteer, Anne learned about the organization and attended a carnival event for critically ill children and their families. 

In reality, she was visiting Casey Cares as part of a nationally televised TV show called “Secret Millionaire.”

The reality show’s premise had self-made millionaires examine non-profit organizations and then surprise the charity or individual with a gift to further their mission. When “Secret Millionaire” visited Casey Cares, they told Casey Cares that cameras were on site to produce a documentary.

The episode featuring Anne and Casey Cares aired on August 4, 2013 – this Friday marks the fifth anniversary of the national broadcast on ABC.

“Casey Cares impressed me from the moment I walked into their facility,” Anne Beiler said at the time. “It was obvious that they built a community of individuals with a deep desire to simply help others. I will forever be touched by the moments I had to interact with (Casey Cares Founder/Executive Director) Casey Baynes, the team, and the families they serve. Truly amazing! They do so much with so little – proof that a big heart for helping others can go a long way.”

At the end of the show, Anne surprised Casey Baynes and the organization with a check for $45,000!

We wanted to take this opportunity to show how much Casey Cares has grown since the show aired and how Anne’s generous donation impacted our organization. 

• Between 2000 and 2013, Casey Cares provided 27,000 program activities. After “Secret Millionaire” aired, Casey Cares provided 52,861 program activities.
• Between 2000 and 2013, Casey Cares had 56,097 program participants, compared to 1000,506 after the show aired.
• Casey Cares distributed 17,131 new pairs of pajamas to kids recovering from medical treatment in area hospitals, hospices or at home between 2000 and 2013. Since then, we have distributed 36,545 pairs.
• Casey Cares served 550 kids in 2013. This year alone, we have served 1,154.

In the first 13 years of our organization compared to the last five years, Casey Cares has almost doubled in growth in terms of programs, program participants, pajamas distributed and numbers of critically ill kids we serve. We grew at 31 percent last year and serve families in seven states and Washington, D.C. 

Click here to watch the “Secret Millionaire” broadcast. 

You don’t have to be a millionaire to make a big impact on families with critically ill children. Be a Memory Maker and donate at CaseyCares.org!

Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, - aka "The Secret Millionaire"  - attending the Casey Cares Carnival

Belinda and Laura became volunteers at Casey Cares shortly after the "Secret Millionaire" episode aired five years ago. They come to our office every week to get new pairs of pajamas ready to send to critically ill kids undergoing rigorous medical treatment at area hospitals, hospices or at home.