By Anthony Marengo
CCC Journalism Program
SICKLERVILLE – On Tuesday, April 5, the Cheeburger Cheeburger restaurant will be holding a fundraiser for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Camden County. The eatery will donate 10 percent of participating customers’ bills to the foundation.
To participate, customers must bring along a flyer advertising the fundraiser to the eating establishment with them. CASA has been a non-profit organization since 2003, and the fundraiser at Cheeburger Cheeburger is part of its Dine Out for CASA campaign to raise awareness and money to help abused children in Camden County.
While this Cheeburger Cheeburger has been in existence for more than 18 months, Wesley Baum, 53, bought the restaurant at the beginning of this year and agreed to host the event when approached by a CASA associate early in February. “A woman came in from (CASA) and solicited us, inquiring if we would help them out by agreeing to donate a fraction of the day’s proceeds to their cause,” Baum says. “All I had to do was say ‘yes’ and CASA set the whole thing up.”
Baum was told by the CASA associate to expect “60 people or so” during the hours of the fundraiser.
Kyrie McNeill of Washington Township, 24, says she plans to dine at the eatery on the day of the charity event. When asked if she was familiar with CASA or Cheeburger Cheeburger, McNeill responded, “No, this is actually my first time here.”
Upon learning about CASA and the restaurant’s work with the foundation, McNeill said, “Obviously it is a good thing, but I do not believe customers should have to present a flyer to donate. “They should just be able to say whether or not they want part of their bill donated.”
“We have extra flyers printed out here at the diner for anyone who forgets to bring one,” said Baum when asked about the flyers. “We want as many people to donate as possible.”
The fundraiser will be held on April 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cheeburger Cheeburger at 611 Berlin-Cross Keys Road in Sicklerville, New Jersey. For additional information or directions, visit http://www.casaofcamdencounty.org or call the restaurant at (856) 875-6900.
Owner Wesley Baum stands behind the counter at Cheeburger Cheeburger in Sicklerville. His restaurant will host a CASA fundraiser on April 5. By Anthony Marengo, CCC Journalism Program