Casa receives $70,000 donation from Wings, Pizza N Things

June 5, 2025

By Daniel Moctezuma

The Belton Journal

On Thursday, May 29, a $70,000 donation was presented to CASA of Bell and Coryell by Mike and Sara Dent, owners of Wings, Pizza N Things, marking the largest single gift in the nonprofit's 10-year history.

The donation was raised through the fifth annial CASA Classic Golf Tournament held earlier this month at Sammons Golf Course in Temple. Each yeat since the tournament's inceptions, the Dent family has increased their contribution by $10,000, starting with $30,000 in its first year.

Mike Dent, who gre up in the foster care system, said the mission of CASA holds personal meaning for him.

"I came up as a child in the foster care system, but I did not have a CASA advocate working on my behalf," he said. "I see the work these volunteers do, and it just makes me want to raise more money each year to help provide more support for so many kids who don't have a voice."

The check was presented at Wings, Pizza N Things in Temple to CASA Executive Director Kevin Kysel, along with staff and board members. Also present were the Dents' daughter, Jessica Dent, and Mason Gerrard.

According to CASA Outreach Coordinator Corinne Donnelly, the donation will allow the organization to hire another full-time staff member, which in turn will make it possible to assign advocates to more than 35 additional children in the foster care system.

“There are over a thousand children in foster care in our area right now,” Donnelly said. “So this helps chip away at that and give them a one-on-one connection.”

Donnelly added that the funds will also support outreach efforts, travel reimbursement for volunteers, and further expansion of CASA’s services in both counties.

CASA volunteer and Director of Volunteer Engagement Maddy Ramos said the community’s support plays a big role in what the organization can do.

“As a volunteer, it helps us to provide a bigger class. We provide meals and supplies for our advocates when they go out and volunteer,” Ramos said. “Travel reimbursement is a big thing, too, especially for placements outside our city limits.”

Ramos said donations like this one help cover those needs and make volunteering more accessible.

“I wish more people knew that anybody can do it,” she said. “You don’t need a specific degree or background. We train everyone from the beginning.”

Kyle said the money will also help pay off CASA’s new permanent building, which will include a child-friendly CPS visitation space. He added that the tournament’s growing visibility has helped attract more volunteers and supporters.

“Our CASA office is growing and impacting more children each year,” said CASA Board President Ashley Clapper Bennett. “To continue our growth requires funding for recruiting new volunteers, training, and new staff to support the added volunteers.”

Dent said his goal for next year’s tournament is to raise $80,000.

“If anybody reads this and wants to get ahead of the curve and get involved, let’s start planning,” he said.

To learn more about CASA or becoming a volunteer, visit www.casabellcoryell.org or call (254) 774-1881.