The Fall Fundraiser is CASA’s largest fundraising event of the year in support of our mission to provide access to affordable housing across the Triangle.
This year marks 9 years of hosting the Fall Fundraiser. The event was initially created by dedicated CASA supporters as a memorial fundraiser to honor Lynn Roberson DeMent, a founding CASA board member. The fundraiser was held at the DeMent Family Farm in Knightdale and was called “The Cabin for CASA”.
Over the years the event grew in size and complexity. We went from a family farm to a brewery to a formal event venue to accommodate the growing number of guests the fundraiser brought in. At its peak in 2019, the Cabin for CASA raised $150,000 and featured an auction, raffle, photo booth, wine pull, cocktail raffle, music and dancing, and a program. Nearly 300 of our closest supporters were in attendance.
Finally, in 2020, COVID hit. What was once a lively, engaging fundraiser had to be completely rethought for the safety of our guests and staff. For the first time ever, CASA hosted a completely virtual event rebranded as The Fall Fundraiser. Though there was no “live” aspect to the event, we had a website takeover and an active social media and email campaign and managed to raise $100,000 in support of our mission. 2021’s event was similar and was mostly virtual with a small in-person outdoor breakfast to celebrate our sponsors.
After two years of mostly virtual events, it feels extra special to get back to an in-person event in honor of CASA’s 30th anniversary. This year’s event will be held at the Merrimon Wynne house in downtown Raleigh on September 15th. Our fundraising goal is $150,000 to support CASA’s affordable housing mission. The event includes a dinner, beer and wine, a silent auction and raffle, music and dancing and more. All proceeds will help cover the gap between what CASA’s low-income residents can afford to pay in rent and what it actually costs to maintain their high-quality housing. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased on our event website here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/casafallfundraiser/
