What began as a way for the Crivella family to round up friends and family 11 years ago has grown into an annual charity golf tournament that has raised more than $250,000 for the Casey Cares Foundation.
“It really started as a family-run tournament and just a fun gathering before my wedding and my brother’s wedding,” said Nick Crivella, who lives in Severna Park and works at the Annapolis law firm of Bagley & Rhody, P.C. “After the third year, though, we decided to add a charity component to the event.”
The family partnered with two charities and then Nick Crivella stumbled upon the Casey Cares Foundation while researching local organizations online. Based in Baltimore, the Casey Cares Foundation provides uplifting activities and programs for critically ill children and their families. The more Nick learned about the foundation, the more he was drawn to it. His father, Vince and uncle, Bart, were just teenagers when they lost their sister to cancer, so Casey Cares struck a chord with the family.
In addition to supporting children who are battling critical illnesses such as cancer, sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, Casey Cares provides programs to siblings of sick children, their parents and caregivers. Vince and Bart, could relate to having a sibling battling a serious illness and the hardship that causes to an entire family.
“At the time, there was no support system in place to help the grieving child or the family,” Vince Crivella said.
The Crivellas have been partnering with Casey Cares ever since.
We’ve been really happy with the organization,” said Nick Crivella, who is a member of the Casey Cares advisory board. “We really like that Casey Cares is small enough that our contribution makes a sizeable local impact, yet established with strong leadership, to ensure the contributed funds are effectively used.”
Casey Cares provides its uplifting activities for critically ill children and their families throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in Baltimore, they serve hundreds of families (800+ this year alone) in six states (from West Virginia to New Jersey) and Washington, D.C.
“We are so honored once again that this generous family chose to continue to support the families at Casey Cares,” said Casey Baynes, founder and executive director of Casey Cares. “This will help us to continue providing uplifting activities for critically ill kids, benefitting the emotional well-being of their entire family.”
The Crivella’s tournament this year drew 100 golfers to the Musket Ridge Golf Course, in Myersville, Maryland.
“We have great corporate sponsors and a great group of golfers who come back year after year,” Nick Crivella said. “We could not be more appreciative of those who have supported our tournament. It is truly a mutually beneficial event. We have a lot of fun and get to help a truly great organization in Casey Cares.”
