May 21, 2020

CASA Launches COVID-19 Relief Fund

News

CASA Launches COVID-19 Relief Fund Rallying Support for Survivors at a Time When Domestic Violence is on the Rise Globally

As Champion Sponsor, Tech Data Leads Over 30 Local Businesses and Individuals in Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence Through the CASA COVID-19 Relief Fund

 In response to the financial loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CASA created a COVID-19 Relief Fund. The purpose of this fund is to support CASA’s domestic violence programs by offsetting the organization’s lost revenue from the cancellation of CASA’s spring Gala and the temporary closure of the CASA Community Thrift Shop.

Countries around the world have reported increased incidents of domestic violence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and an increasing number of victims are reaching out for domestic violence support right here in Pinellas County.

-CASA saw a 49% increase in calls to their emergency hotline in April 2020

-Domestic violence in France increased 30 percent following the country’s lockdown on March 17, 2020

-Spain saw an 18 percent increase in domestic violence calls in the first two weeks of lockdowns;

“We have been overwhelmed by the support of our community during this difficult time,” stated Lariana Forsythe, CASA CEO. “These individuals and businesses who have contributed to our COVID-19 Relief Fund will help make up the critical revenue we had budgeted for this spring.”

Tech Data, a longtime supporter of CASA, converted their Presenting Sponsorship of CASA’s 2020 Spring Gala into the Champion Sponsorship for the CASA COVID-19 Relief Fund.

“For Tech Data, the choice to support this cause was clear,” said Linda Rendleman, Tech Data’s senior vice president, endpoint solutions, Americas, and CASA’s board of directors vice chair. “For over 25 years Tech Data has focused on CASA’s mission through community education, philanthropy, and employee engagement and we know CASA’s resources are critical for our community now more than ever.”

Nearly every sponsor of CASA’s Gala followed suit with an additional $115,000 in sponsorships to start the fund. These sponsors include:

• COVID-19 Relief Fund Hero Sponsors:

  • AMUNI FINANCIAL, INC.
  • BARE BOARD GROUP
  • THE CARPET STORE/SHAW FLOORING
  • E-TELEQUOTE INSURANCE
  • EPSTEIN BECKER & GREEN
  • FREY MASTERSON INVESTMENT ADVISORS
  • JOHN’S HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL HEALTHY START
  • RAYMOND JAMES
  • SHEILA KING
  • TSE INDUSTRIES
  • THE KLINGEL FAMILY FOUNDATION

• COVID-19 Relief Fund Advocate Sponsors:

  • AMERICAN EXPRESS
  • ADTEC II
  • J. ARANGO, INC
  • ALLSTATE
  • BANK UNITED
  • CADENCE BANK
  • CARR, RIGGS, AND INGRAM, LLC
  • CATALINA MARKETING
  • CYNTHIA & KALJU NEKVASIL
  • DEBBIE & STEVE RAYMUND
  • DEBI & ANDY ALBERDI
  • JIM & MRS. SUE PETRU
  • GAELYNN & JIM THURMAN
  • GEORGE LEWIS
  • JENNIFER & RJ GARBOWICZ
  • JILL & KEVIN KERMES
  • JUDITH PLOSZEK
  • KIM JENSON & TOM ELSEN
  • MASTERSON FAMILY
  • MAXEY-FISHER, PLLC
  • ME WILSON
  • MODERN BUSINESS ASSOCIATES
  • & MRS. CARY SHOWALTER
  • NICK MCDEVITT
  • PAYCHEX
  • PRIDGEN REALTY
  • PINELLAS COUNTY SHERRIFF’S OFFICE
  • MARY & RICK GIGLIO
  • SABAL TRUST
  • SMITH & ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE
  • SPOOR BUNCH FRANZ
  • ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
  • SUPERIOR UNIFORM GROUP
  • TAMPA BAY RAYS

Call to Action: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call CASA’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline (727) 895-4912 | TTY (727) 828-1269. Outside of Pinellas County call (800) 500-1119 | TTY (800) 621-4202

Looking for ways to support CASA through the COVID-19 pandemic? Join these sponsors by contributing to the CASA COVID-19 Relief Fund at www.casa-stpete.org/COVID-19-Relief-Fund or by purchase a “Home Should Be A Safe Place” yard sign to support CASA services while sharing critical resources to neighbors in need across Pinellas County: www.casa-stpete.org/donate

About CASA:

Founded in 1977, CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) is the official 501c3 domestic violence center based in Pinellas County, FL. CASA mission is to challenge the societal acceptance of all forms of domestic violence through advocacy, prevention, intervention, and support services. These include the area’s 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter; non-residential programs, such as support groups, economic empowerment, and legal advocacy; Child Protective Investigative Team support; community and corporate training; and the CASA Peacemakers anti-bullying and healthy relationship school curriculum. To learn more visit www.casa-stpete.org.