North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse tees up for third annual golf outing

The North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse is set to host its third annual CASA Cares Golf Outing on Aug. 26 at the Brookville Country Club, raising money to support their mission to combat youth substance abuse.

Organizers are gearing up for another successful day of fundraising, camaraderie, and community support, while also using the event as a farewell for long-time president and vice-president of the organization, Alison Camardella, and Kevin McGilloway, who will remain on the board.

Camardella, one of the organization’s founders, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event.

“We’re just so thrilled and excited that this is our third annual golf outing, and we expect it to be a fabulous success,” she said. “It’s really heartwarming to see this community come together to support our coalition’s mission of reducing youth substance use and abuse.”

The outing, which has become a staple in the local community, will once again be held at the Brookville Country Club. This year’s event offers more activities than in the past, with the addition of a pickleball tournament, an open pool, raffles, and basket prizes. The event aims to not only raise funds but also foster a sense of unity among participants.

Sean Trager, one of the event organizers and incoming co-president of CASA, emphasized the importance of the outing.

“The golf outing allows us to raise awareness and help fund our efforts to sustain our operation,” Trager said. “We have a pretty definitive focus on where we’re going in the coming year, and this event is a crucial part of that.”

The outing also serves as a platform for CASA to communicate its vision and plans. With Camardella stepping down as president in October and Trager stepping into the role alongside Dr. Jolie Silva, the event will mark a significant transition in leadership.

“We’re certainly excited about the leadership turnover in the fall,” Trager said. “The golf outing allows us to formalize and celebrate Alison’s tenure with CASA, but more than anything, it provides an opportunity to gather our community and discuss our future direction.”

Camardella’s departure from the presidency marks the end of a significant chapter for CASA. Under her leadership, the organization has made substantial strides in community outreach, education, and advocacy.

“I’m going to stay on the board, and I remain as passionate about this as always,” she said. “It’s great for the organization to have new leadership, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to leave the board in such capable hands.”

The funds raised from the outing will be crucial in supporting CASA’s ongoing initiatives, including prevention education, community outreach, and Narcan training. The organization has made it a priority to address the growing concerns of substance abuse, particularly in the face of challenges like fentanyl and vaping.

“Speakers are expensive, and a lot of the stuff we do costs money,” Trager explained. “The fact is that everything we do costs money, and we’re self-funded within the community.”

In addition to the golf and pickleball tournaments, the event will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, and several auctions. The auction prizes include everything from golf foursomes at local country clubs, a week-long staycation at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club, and Mets tickets. For those who cannot attend the event, CASA has made it possible to participate in the auctions online.

The success of the previous years’ outings, the first of which raised enough money to hire CASA’s first permanent employee, has set a high bar for this year’s event. Camardella and Trager expressed their hope to surpass last year’s fundraising total and continue to expand its impact within the community.

“Our goal this year is to extend our community outreach,” Camardella said. “We’ve been successful in reaching those who know about CASA, but now is the time to extend our reach to those who may not be aware of the work we do.”

Those interested in participating in the event or supporting CASA’s work can find more information and register on the organization’s website, nscasa.org. Single golf tickets are $300 per person, and if anyone is interested in booking a foursome for the event email northshorecasa@gmail.com.