CASA for Kids Faces $50K Shortfall as Guitar Raffle Aims to Bridge Gap
Turnpike Troubadours-signed Gibson acoustic part of fundraising effort to support child advocacy programs
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Bobby Wintle, co-owner of District Bicycles in Stillwater, is leveraging his connections in the music and cycling industries to raise funds for local nonprofits facing significant budget shortfalls due to federal funding cuts.
The fundraising effort centers around raffling guitars signed by popular bands, with proceeds benefiting several local organizations including CASA for Kids, which advocates for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.
"Right now because of federal funding cuts, we're down $50,000 this year," said Sarah Priest, executive director of CASA for Kids, Inc.
The revenue shortfall stems from reductions to the Victims of Crime Act Fund, which provides essential funding for victim services across the country. The fund is generated from offenders convicted of federal crimes, not from taxes.
According to a May 2024 report by Oklahoma Voice:
The money flowing into the fund fluctuates each year, making it difficult for the organizations that apply for and receive grant funding to plan their budgets. Congress hoped to alleviate those boom-and-bust cycles by placing the annual cap on how much money can be drawn from the crime victims fund.
But that cap has sharply decreased recently, causing frustration for organizations that rely on it and leading to repeated calls for Congress to find a long-term solution.
Finding alternative means to accomplish the mission
CASA relies on community volunteers to advocate for children removed from their homes by the Department of Human Services. These volunteers meet with the children monthly throughout their cases, which often last a year or longer.
"Our volunteers really become the eyes and the ears of the court, and they're able to tell the judge what's in the children's best interests," Priest explains. "We really try to advocate for the child as a whole and make sure all of their needs are being met."
The funding cuts have forced CASA to find alternative ways to support their staff.
"I went from being able to pay four of our volunteer supervisors full time with their benefits to being able to pay two of my volunteer supervisors 80% of their time," Priest said.
Wildfire relief efforts unite West Coast with Red Dirt
Wintle's fundraising initiative began when Gibson Inc., a leading guitar manufacturer, reached out to offer support. The company is providing signed guitars for charity raffles, including a $5,500 custom shop 1936 Advanced Jumbo acoustic signed by every member of the Turnpike Troubadours.
"Gibson Inc. was heavily involved in the wildfire relief for LA (Los Angeles) and is still involved. They have been working with United Way of LA County," Wintle said. "Beth Heidt, the chief marketing officer of Gibson Inc., had a call with me two weeks ago, and she said, 'Bobby, let's cut straight to the chase. I want to help, I want to help your community.'"
Raffle tickets for the Turnpike Troubadours signed guitar cost $25 each, with all proceeds going to support CASA for Kids, The Saville Center, Payne County United Way, the Fire Relief Fund, and the Red Dirt Relief Fund.
Additional guitars signed by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, Jason Isbell, Marcus King, Dwight Yoakam and Blake Shelton are also being raffled, with more artist-signed guitars in the works.
The Saville Center, another local nonprofit, faced a $90,000 budget shortfall. Wintle recently helped raise $40,000 for the center through a bike raffle at his Mid South gravel race event.
"I have been put into the incredible privilege of having a gravel race that is the number two biggest gravel race on the planet," Wintle said. "I've pushed really hard to have music be a part of it for the entire existence of its life."
This connection between cycling and music has opened doors for partnerships that benefit the community. Gibson Inc. has now become an official sponsor of The Mid South event, which further strengthens fundraising capabilities.
"Last year I hugged 3,250 participants between two days."
The partnership with Gibson extends beyond the current fundraising efforts. The company is connecting Wintle with the National Association of Music Merchants to help establish his nonprofit organization called Squeeze.
"Squeeze is a synonym for a hug," Wintle explains, referencing his tradition of hugging every participant who finishes his cycling and running events. "Last year I hugged 3,250 participants between two days."
The nonprofit will allow Wintle to collect funds from corporations in a more structured way to support local causes.
"If you give to Squeeze, whenever we get this thing off the ground, I promise that all of the money will go to the places that need it the most," Wintle said. "Our focus, our core focus will be Stillwater, Payne County Human Services, Our Daily Bread, Wings of Hope, Mission of Hope, CASA, Saville, on and on."
Fundraising has been part of Wintle's events since their inception. The first year raised money for a cyclist hit by a driver, and subsequent years supported various causes including support for a young child diagnosed with leukemia, the Grey Snow Eagle House for the Iowa Nation, and now local nonprofits affected by federal cuts.
"I care about humans deeply and people deserve a chance to have a life that is not horrible," Wintle said. "These organizations are doing everything they can to try and make the best situation out of the worst situation."
For CASA, the fundraising efforts come at a critical time as they work to maintain services for vulnerable children.
"We see so many changes in the system that we work in. Their caseworkers change all the time, their attorneys change. And we really strive to provide that one consistent adult for the kids that can stay with them the whole time they're in custody," Priest said.
Raffle tickets for the signed guitars are available at midsouthgravel.com/gibson, with the drawing date extended to raise as much money as possible for the affected organizations. Donations can also be made directly.
Direct donation links
CASA for Kids | Payne County Youth Services | Red Dirt Relief Fund | The Saville Center | United Way of Payne County
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