Our Wonderful Volunteers

In each edition of the Kacie’s Cause newsletter, we feature the efforts of one or more of our outstanding volunteers in our Kacie’s Spotlight section. To receive our newsletter as they are published, click here.

Please check the fine work of some of our most recent Spotlight volunteers below.

Daniel Nicewonger

Daniel Nicewonger

Daniel has been an active volunteer with Kacie’s Cause since 2019. Daniel decided to join Kacie’s Cause as a volunteer because he believes that “ Our community is stronger when we come together to form partnerships that work together for the common good.” Daniel has been a tremendous leader in the Kennett Square community since becoming the Pastor of First Baptist Church in June of 2014.  He retired from his position in August of 2021 so that he could focus on his recovery from colon cancer, which he has battled since 2016. Daniel played a key role in helping Kacie’s Cause obtain a $45,000.00 grant from Chester County to be used to help fund the Recovery Scholarship program.  Daniel describes his work in support of the Recovery Scholarship program as follows, “ I see these recovery scholarships as one of the most exciting and practical things Kacie’s Cause offers those working towards recovery.  Asking people to give generously to support the work of the recovery scholarships programs is something I find life-giving.”

Daniel has been an active volunteer with Kacie’s Cause since 2019. Daniel decided to join Kacie’s Cause as a volunteer because he believes that “ Our community is stronger when we come together to form partnerships that work together for the common good.”

Daniel has been a tremendous leader in the Kennett Square community since becoming the Pastor of First Baptist Church in June of 2014.  He retired from his position in August of 2021 so that he could focus on his recovery from colon cancer, which he has battled since 2016.

Daniel has chronicled his battles with cancer in his book The Journey Continues: Finding Joy Amid Life’s Struggles.  Readers can learn more about Daniel’s struggles and access his book here. Kacie’s Cause Executive Director, Luis Tovar, described Daniel and his book when he recently wrote, “Dan can meet people where they are at in life and always plant the seeds of hope. Dan could stand in a dark room, and it would feel like his light would gently reach those in his presence. The Journey Continues reflects a person that feels pain, anger, regret, fear, love … but most importantly, someone eluding hope and acceptance of a path he is on.” Daniel hopes that chronicling his recovery will help others battling life threatening challenges such as substance use disorder.

Daniel played a key role in helping Kacie’s Cause obtain a $45,000.00 grant from Chester County to be used to help fund the Recovery Scholarship program.  Daniel describes his work in support of the Recovery Scholarship program as follows, “ I see these recovery scholarships as one of the most exciting and practical things Kacie’s Cause offers those working towards recovery.  Asking people to give generously to support the work of the recovery scholarships programs is something I find life-giving.”

Daniel was also instrumental in coordinating a three-day conference in 2019 focusing on the recovery process titled  Hope for Today, Hope for Tomorrow.  In addition, during his time at First Baptist he generously provided space in the church for the Kennett Square chapter of Kacie’s Cause to hold parent support meetings.

Daniel lives in Avondale, PA  with his wife Nancy, who he describes as being his “rock and support for everything I have done in my life and my ministry.”  Daniel and Nancy have two adult children, Joseph and Rayann.  Daniel’s wife Nancy shares a weekly caregiver journal which can be found every Monday at danielnicewonger.com.

Tracey Polito

Tracey Polito (left) currently serves as the leader of our Oxford Chapter. She is also active in the Parkesburg chapter. Tracey brings a high level of expertise and dynamic leadership to our organization. Her professional experience working for the Chester County Bail Agency as a Drug and Alcohol Specialist with the Drug Court program gives her a unique perspective as she works tirelessly to help individuals suffering from Substance Use Disorder on a daily basis. To learn more about Tracey and the wonderful events she has coordinated and participated in on behalf of Kacie’s Cause click below.

In July of 2022 Kacie’s Cause was pleased to honor the leader of the Oxford chapter of our organization- Tracey Polito.  Tracey originally became involved with Kacie’s Cause as a member of the Parkesburg chapter in 2013.  Tracey brings a high level of expertise and dynamic leadership to our organization.  Her professional experience working for the Chester County Bail Agency as a Drug and Alcohol Specialist with the Drug Court program gives her a unique perspective as she works tirelessly to help individuals suffering from Substance Use Disorder on a daily basis.

Tracey has been an active participant and leader at various Kacie’s Cause activities including partnering with her husband Joseph and his professional wrestling organization, Liberty All-Star Wrestling, to organize wrestling events to raise money for Kacie’s Cause.  Tracey is also a regular participant in First Fridays in Oxford where she hosts an information booth and distributes free doses of Naloxone in accordance with Kacie’s Cause policies and procedures.

Tracey brings positive messages and information to elementary students in the Octorara Area School districts as she leads small groups of elementary school children with a specially designed curriculum designed to promote self-esteem and positive decision-making.  She also works with older students in the Positive Prom Program which she started at Octorara.  Tracey especially enjoys working with young people and shared that “Seeing those kids smile is the greatest reward you can ask for.”

Tracey and her family are animal lovers and care for, among others, the Kacie’s Cause mascots, Abe the mini horse, and the mini donkeys Sweet Pea and Eeyore.  These friendly animals can frequently be seen at Kacie’s Cause events and attract children wherever they go.

Kacie’s Cause would like to offer our thanks for all that Tracey and her family do to help families in Chester County.  You are truly outstanding examples of public servants and citizens.

Betsy and Socker Gillen

Betsy Gillen

Betsy Gillen, pictured here with husband & fellow volunteer Socker, is the Director of the Parkesburg Chapter of Kacie’s Cause. Betsy has been active in spearheading such projects as the Annual Mother’s Day Walk, the Parkesburg support group, and prevention programs in the Octorara School District. To read Betsy’s full spotlight article click below.

This month Kacie’s Cause is proud to honor Betsy Gillen in Kacie’s Spotlight.  Betsy has proven to be a dynamic and dedicated leader of the Parkesburg Chapter of Kacie’s Cause. Betsy and her husband Socker joined Kacie’s Cause in 2013 after attending a town meeting at the Longwood Fire Company, which was headed by Kacie’s Cause founder Andy Rumford. Betsy was moved by Andy’s impassioned plea for our communities to work to make the world a better place by addressing the opioid crisis that takes a life once every 5 minutes in our country.

Betsy and Socker lost their 21-year old son John to a heroin overdose in 2011.  During John’s battle with opioid use disorder, Betsy and Socker often found themselves unsure of how to get the right kind of help for John and for themselves.  As a result of the painful journey they experienced due to John’s struggles and death, Betsy and Socker became determined to help others dealing with similar challenges.  In Kacie’s Cause they found a family of like minded volunteers that shared the same desire to help.

Betsy’s first response to the call for help she heard from Kacie’s Cause was to quickly begin her efforts to start a chapter in her local town of Parkesburg.  Parkesburg, like many small towns across America, has been ravaged by the disease of Substance Use Disorder (Addiction) and the opioid crisis.  Betsy used her many social contacts and the professional expertise she developed during her 37-year career as an executive administrator at Citadel Credit Union to begin the process of recruiting and managing team members.  The result of her efforts has led to the formation of a Parkesburg Chapter that is one of the most highly regarded group of volunteers in the state of Pennsylvania and in the United States.

One of the strongest partnerships that Betsy and the Parkesburg Chapter have formed has been with the Octorara Area School District.  The district’s Superintendent, teachers, administrators, and parents view Kacie’s Cause volunteers as being integral members of their school community.  This group of dedicated volunteers has proven to be a rich source of information about substance use disorder for students and parents.  Kacie’s Cause offers small support groups to students in grades K-12 that help youngsters learn how to avoid substance use in the face of peer pressure and exposure to family use.

Kacie’s Kloset is a program started by a group of wonderful girls in Octorara Middle School that provides beautiful gowns that are dedicated by members of the community and sold to students for donated canned goods. The canned goods are then donated to the Octorara Food Cupboard.

At the Octorara High School, the John D. Gillen Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is awarded each year by Kacie’s Cause to a deserving senior.  One of Betsy’s most enjoyable Kacie’s Cause related acts is presenting this scholarship at the school’s annual awards program.

A Kacie’s Cause community support group for adults is also offered free of charge in Parkesburg. This group is run by professional counselors and volunteers. Many of the group’s participants are parents or grandparents of children that are struggling with substance use disorder.  The group offers participants a venue to share their journeys, offer and receive support, and express care and kindness to each other. The group meets every Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Parkesburg Point Chapel, located at 700 Main Street in Parkesburg.  For more information about the group or to join Kacie’s Cause as a volunteer contact Betsy at betsy.kaciescause@gmail.com.

Perhaps the most visible Kacie’s Cause activity sponsored by Betsy’s Parkesburg Chapter is the Annual Mother’s Day Walk.  This event is designed to bring greater community awareness to Substance Use Disorder.  It also provides grieving friends and family members an opportunity to honor loved ones lost to drug overdose. This year’s event is scheduled for May 8 beginning at 9:00 am.  More information, including registration directions, can be found here.

Betsy is well deserving of recognition for her tireless dedication to Kacie’s Cause and the Parkesburg community.  Betsy would like to thank Kacie’s Cause and the wonderful team of volunteers active in the Parkesburg Chapter.  Betsy recently shared the following testimony about her Parkesburg team of volunteers, “ I love my Parkesburg team because they are what make our Chapter successful! They have all of the vision and aren’t afraid to take on impossible-sounding tasks. Each one of us has something to contribute and regardless of how unfamiliar something may be, we all work together to achieve our goal.” Betsy’s relentless efforts are greatly appreciated by her Parkesburg team and by all of the members of Kacie’s Cause.

Cindy Wanamaker

Cindy Wanamaker

Cindy Wanamaker served as the Treasurer of Kacie’s Cause. She is active in prevention efforts throughout Chester County and the State of Pennsylvania. Cindy chairs the Chester County Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board and co-chairs the Pennsylvania Parent Panel Advisory Council. To read more about Cindy and her efforts click below.

One of the most important components of a successful nonprofit organization such as Kacie’s Cause is quality financial management.  Kacie’s Cause is very fortunate to have Cindy Wanamaker volunteer her time to serve as Treasurer of our organization.  Cindy recently retired after a career that spanned over 40 years in the financial services industry.  Most recently she was employed as Executive Vice President, and Chief Operations and Compliance Officer for Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. The level of expertise and knowledge that Cindy brings to her volunteer work with Kacie’s Cause is truly amazing.

Part of Cindy’s efforts includes administering the recovery scholarship program.  This program provides financial assistance to individuals who seek placement in a recovery home as part of their recovery journeys.

In addition to financial expertise, Cindy brings a strong passion for combatting the opioid epidemic.  In the fall of 2020 Cindy earned her Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS) designation.  Cindy facilitated a faith- based parent support group for over ten years. She is especially passionate about family education related to Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

Cindy serves in multiple leadership capacities in our community.  She chairs the Chester County Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board and co-chairs the Pennsylvania Parent Panel Advisory Council. One of Cindy’s current initiatives is serving on the Advisory Committee for the development of the PA ATLAS (Addiction, Treatment, Locater, Assessment, and Standards) platform sponsored by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.  This platform will provide citizens with a comprehensive online tool to help them to find a licensed drug & alcohol treatment provider in Pennsylvania.  It is anticipated that the platform will launch in April of 2022.

Like many Kacie’s Cause volunteers Cindy’s life has been touched by Substance Use Disorder.  Cindy has an adult child that is in long term recovery.  She hopes to be able use what she has learned in her family’s journey to assist other families facing similar challenges.

Kacie’s Cause is extremely fortunate to have Cindy Wanamaker serve in a leadership capacity in our organization.  We would like to thank this amazing woman for all that she does to help Kacie’s Cause and the citizens of Pennsylvania.

Dave DiVito

David DiVito

David DiVito is a tireless volunteer who plays an integral part in organizing and coordination the Cares for Kacie program. Cars for Kacie is our organization’s largest fundraiser. To read more about David and his efforts click below.

Kacie’s Cause would like to honor Mr. David DiVito for his tireless efforts in organizing and running the Downingtown Cars for Kacie show.  Dave is currently employed as a Physical Education teacher at Downingtown Middle School.  His teaching career spans 24 years.  In addition to his teaching duties, Dave coaches middle school cross country, girls basketball, and softball.

Dave became interested in the Cars for Kacie program after meeting Kacie’s Cause founder, Andy Rumford, through their mutual participation in a local Corvette club.  Dave was drawn to help Kacie’s Cause partly because, he, like many of our volunteers, experienced the loss of a family member from a heroin overdose.

Dave expressed that he is particularly impressed with the way the multitude of show volunteers work together as a team and never fail to “show the love”.  He sees his efforts as a way to give back to our community through a cause that is “near and dear to my heart.”  Dave enjoys the fun of the event and embraces the opportunity to view the wide variety of sports cars, hot rods, muscle cars, and classic cars that are displayed at the show.

In the future, Dave would like to include more interactive family attractions and activities in the show.  Kacie’s Cause would like to thank Dave for all that he does to make the Cars for Kacie program a great success.