$15K Grant for The Children’s Haven

CANTON, Ga. (Feb. 20, 2025) – A courtroom can be intimidating to an adult, let alone a
child who may have no idea how to ask for what they want and need. That’s where Court
Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers from The Children’s Haven step in to be
their voice.

After a recent funding cut from the federal government, the organization asked O’Reilly
Automotive Foundation, Inc., the philanthropy arm of O’Reilly Auto Parts, for help making
ends meet. The Children’s Haven has received $15,000 to ensure the program continues
to serve kids in Cherokee County.

“Last year in our county, there were close to 400 children in foster care, which was one of
the highest rates of foster care in the state of Georgia,” said Marcie Smith, executive
director of The Children’s Haven. “Research has shown that children in foster care who are
served by a CASA volunteer reach a permanent, safe home sooner, which is our goal.”
CASA volunteers can be assigned to a single child or a sibling group. Once in place, they
communicate with everyone in the children’s lives, including schools, therapists, case
managers and biological parents. Their role is to ensure the children’s needs are being
met.

“The children that CASA serves are in the custody of the Division of Family and Children
Services due to a substantiated case of abuse or neglect,” said Julie Gray, president of
O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc. “To know these funds mean those children have an
adult sitting by their side to advocate for their best interests means the world to us.”
The Children’s Haven grant is part of a year-end round of giving for the O’Reilly
Foundation, which awarded $1 million across 35 nonprofits nationwide. It’s the largest
distribution of funds from the foundation since its founding in 2020.

The Children’s Haven is always looking for adults who are willing to be trained and serve in
the CASA program. To find out more, to make a financial contribution, or to participate in a
fundraising event, go online to cherokeechildrenshaven.org

About O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.
The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as a dependable community
partner, supporting organizations and programs that address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved
and underrepresented individuals and families. The Foundation concentrates its giving in the areas of economic stability
and mobility, workforce development, health and social services and disaster relief.

About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
Since 1957, O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., has grown from a family-owned company to a leader in the automotive
replacement parts industry. It supplies equipment, tools, parts, and accessories to professional service providers and do-
it-yourself customers across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada. With more than 6,200 store locations
and growing, the O’Reilly Professional Parts People deliver excellent customer service, knowledge and value to the
communities they serve.