Students looking for an alternative to the cafeteria brunch can find something different this Sunday: pancakes with a side of charity. The sorority Kappa Alpha Theta will be hosting their signature philanthropy Cakes for CASA on Sunday, April 12, said Marissa Mitchell ’16, who is the Chief Marketing Officer for Kappa Alpha Theta. “Cakes for CASA is a pancake brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall.” Members of the sorority will be cooking and serving pancakes to raise money for CASA, and for those who want to stay in their dorm, “We will be doing delivery,” said Mitchell.

All of the proceeds will go to the Pennsylvania branch of CASA, according to Mitchell. “CASA stands for Count Appointed Special Advocate. Advocates volunteer their time to represent the legal rights of children in the foster care system,” she explained, adding that, “With a CASA volunteer a child is less likely to re-enter the foster care system, more likely to do well in school and ultimately costs the taxpayers less money. They are the sole person who speaks and advocates on behalf of the child and makes decisions purely on what is right for the child.”

Mitchell encouraged students to attend the brunch, citing the good cause. “Students should participate because CASA is a much needed organization in this country. So many children are victims of neglect and abuse and go their whole life in the foster care system. They get overlooked by all the paperwork. Often times children will switch foster homes and caseworkers multiple times a year but a CASA advocate stays with the child the whole time and only thinks about the child’s best interest,” said Mitchell. Livvy Poulin ’17 Service and Philanthropy Director for Kappa Alpha Theta added her piece, saying, “CASA is a really fantastic organization fueled by volunteers who are willing to dedicate their time to children in need.” She continued, explaining the process,”The advocates go through about 30 to 40 hours of training, and then they are assigned to a child or sibling group in the foster care system. Oftentimes these children are victims of abuse or neglect, and the emotional support that they receive from their CASA is vital to their development. The advocate gets to know the child well, advises the judge throughout the case so that the child’s best interest is the greatest priority, and stays with the child until he or she is given a permanent, loving home. It’s a national organization, but we are fortunate to have a CASA office right here in Carlisle.”

Poulin added that Theta does other events to support CASA as well, “We also help out CASA by providing refreshments and facilitating their Light of Hope Ceremony (where the new advocates are sworn in), we make birthday cards for the children who have CASA advocates to make them feel special, and in the past, we have decorated little boxes for the children to keep their belongings in so that they have a sense of ownership. In the fall, we also host a CASA appreciation brunch, as a way of showing the advocates and the CASA office workers how grateful we are for their important contribution to children in need. People are often unaware of how large of an issue child abuse is in our society, but CASA does some great work to give these children voices. The thetas at Dickinson are proud to support that mission.”

Emily Lopkin ’15, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, said, “I’m excited to raise money for this wonderful philanthropy, by selling something that everyone loves!”

Sophia Brocenos ’17, another member of Kappa Alpha Theta, reiterated Lopkin, saying, “Everyone loves pancakes, but this way we get to eat good food and raise money for a good cause.”

Other members of Kappa Alpha Theta also talked about what CASA meant to them. “CASA is inspiring in their efforts to help disadvantaged children,” said Jessica Snyder ’15.

“CASA is fighting for the kids that need it most. I would love to be a CASA volunteer when I graduate,” echoed Lily Beardsley ’17.

Pervious incarnations of their philanthropy included Cuisine for CASA, where local restaurants donated food to raise money for CASA, and KATWalk for CASA, where Kappa Alpha Theta sold tickets to a catwalk featuring members of the Dickinson community. “We decided to change our event to find something that would appeal to a wider audience outside of Carlisle,” said Mitchell. Poulin added, “I chose to do Cakes for CASA instead of Cuisine because I felt that it was time for a change–Cuisine was a great event, but I was hoping that a new event would get people excited to participate. I know brunch on the weekend is something that people look forward to, so I thought that I pancake breakfast would really engage the campus. My hope is that it is something that people will be as family-friendly, so professors and others in the Carlisle community will feel welcome to join in.”

Tickets are five dollars in advance and seven dollars at the door; delivery will cost four dollars with one dollar per pancake. Tickets for Cakes for CASA will be on sale in the basement of the HUB from 11-1 p.m. until Friday. Students who wish to have their pancakes delivered should sign-up in advance in the HUB.