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A Message From Our CEO, Amy Sugimoto
Dear Friends,
Bite Nite is our biggest night of the year — and this year, our community truly made it count.
Together, we raised $251,000 for children in foster care across Placer, Yuba, and Sutter counties. That number doesn't happen by accident. It reflects sponsors who committed early and believed in our mission, guests who raised their paddles without hesitation, and volunteers who poured their hearts into making the evening run seamlessly. Most importantly, it means more children in foster care will have a trained, consistent advocate in their corner — someone who shows up, speaks up, and refuses to let them be forgotten.
The highlight of the evening for me was the opportunity to honor three extraordinary individuals whose dedication defines what CASA is all about.
David Allen, our Volunteer of the Year, has been with us for 12 years, serving on 83 cases over the course of his tenure. Today, as a Volunteer Case Supervisor, he supports 10 volunteers while simultaneously carrying his own complex dependency case. Volunteers know they can bring David any question — no matter how difficult — and they will always be met with patience, wisdom, and a genuinely positive attitude. He has been instrumental in growing our BE BOLD Boys team, regularly showing up to youth events and volunteer support meetings. His nomination came from Case Manager Preston Doyle, who spoke movingly about how deeply David's mentorship has shaped his own growth and confidence in the role. That is David's impact: it reaches the children he serves directly, and it multiplies through every volunteer and staff member he lifts along the way.
Our Family Services Hero of the Year, Ursula Wiley, has spent 10 years walking alongside families during some of the hardest and most vulnerable moments of their lives. She is patient, she is present, and she believes deeply in the parents she works with — even when they struggle to believe in themselves. She has a remarkable gift for helping people recognize strengths they didn't know they had. Ursula was instrumental in launching our reunification support program for parents working to bring their children home, and her tireless dedication has helped shape the work we do across our entire organization today. One detail says everything about who Ursula is: every year, around her birthday near Christmas, she asks her friends to skip gifts for her and instead bring gifts for the children and families we serve. That is the kind of generosity that cannot be taught — it simply lives in a person.
This year, we introduced our first-ever Philanthropic Champion of the Year award, created to recognize extraordinary generosity that goes far beyond writing a check. There was no question who should receive it first. For more than 20 years, Ken McGuire has been a donor, board member, advocate, and a true partner in our mission. He has always told us, "Just call me if you need anything." And when we call, he doesn't just say yes — he shows up, follows through, and asks what else needs to be done. Just before the gala, we asked him to appear in a television segment to help tell our story. He agreed without a moment's hesitation. Ken's generosity simply cannot be measured in dollars alone. It shows up in time freely given, doors opened, opportunities created, and promises kept. He reminds us that making a real difference often comes down to one simple thing: being willing to answer the call. And behind him, every step of the way, is the equally extraordinary Julie McGuire. Together, they are a constant source of support and among the greatest partners we could ever ask for.
Ken, David, and Ursula each answered the call in their own remarkable way — and so did every guest, sponsor, and volunteer who joined us at Bite Nite. The evening was a reflection of what this community is capable of when we come together around a shared purpose.
If their stories moved you, I want you to know: there is a place for you here too. Whether you have hours to give or simply a desire to make a difference in the life of a child, we would love to hear from you. Visit casaconnects.org to learn how you can become a CASA volunteer and join a community of people who refuse to let children navigate the foster care system alone.
With deep gratitude and great hope for what comes next,
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