In honor of National Philanthropy Day, CASA of Tarrant County invited TCU Kappa Alpha Theta’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief External Affairs Officer to contribute a blog post about what CASA means to them!

Written by Erin Buckley and Blake Vilven


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To Kappa Alpha Theta, CASA means service without seeking reward. Theta has the opportunity of putting on two philanthropy events throughout the year. I had the privilege of planning our spring event, CASA Cook-off! Essentially, this event is a cook-off battle between fraternities to see who can cook the best burger. I had an absolute blast planning and executing this event, but what made it even better is that I knew the positive impact this event would have on children all throughout Tarrant County. Additionally, we have our Theta 5K supporting CASA coming up this fall! Between these two events, Theta has raised over $80,000 for CASA in the past year.

By sponsoring CASA advocates, we get to love on these kiddos the best that we can without looking for any reward. It is service without praise and is there no better feeling than a sacrificial love like this. I may be biased, but I wouldn’t want our money to go anywhere else. To Kappa Alpha Theta, CASA of Tarrant County means service without seeking reward.

—Blake Vilven, 2020 Chief Executive Officer
Kappa Alpha Theta
Texas Christian University


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CASA of Tarrant County to me means having the chance to be involved with something bigger than just our sorority or experience at Texas Christian University (TCU). It means being able to help raise money and provide resources to support kids with the chance to have someone care for them unconditionally and help them to create a better life and future for themselves.

Being able to intern with CASA and partner with them in our philanthropy event this year, I have learned more about the countless ways CASA impacts foster children and how they provide hope to kids who’ve felt hopeless. I have seen firsthand how much hard-work and dedication goes into working at CASA of Tarrant County, and am inspired by their passion every day.  I love seeing our chapter of girls come together to support CASA in any way they can. Numerous times I see the selflessness and ability to go above and beyond what is expected of each of us, simply because we care deeply about CASA, their mission, and the kids they serve.

I’ve seen multiple members of our chapter so incredibly inspired that after college and their sorority days, they become CASA advocates themselves. The impact CASA has made to each and every girl is priceless. I am proud to see that CASA means more to us than just raising money, it has changed all of our hearts, going beyond our college experience. It has made me realize how lucky we are to have a philanthropy that is so special and makes such a huge impact on children – those that need it the most.

 —Erin Buckley, 2020 Chief External Affairs Officer
Kappa Alpha Theta
Texas Christian University