Staff

Founder/Executive Director: Molly Reeser, molly@camp-casey.org
Director of Public Relations: Lauren Maiman, lauren@camp-casey.org
Director of Family Relations: Danielle Martin, danielle@camp-casey.org
Equine Director: Amy Gill, amy@camp-casey.org

Molly Reeser
While attending Michigan State University seeking a degree in Journalism, Molly worked part-time teaching horseback riding lessons. At the barn, she met Casey Foote, a young girl whose journey with cancer affected Molly’s life tremendously.

After Casey’s death, Molly Melamed set out to do something to commemorate Casey’s life and love for horses. What was supposed to be a one-day affair for children at Sparrow Hospital has turned into an ongoing therapeutic horse program for kids with cancer throughout all of Michigan.

Today, Molly (now Molly Reeser) serves as Executive Director of Camp Casey and oversees all aspects of the program. She currently resides in Ferndale with her husband, Nick, their cat, Peach, and pit bull, Cowgirl.
Lauren Maiman
To get Lauren out of their hair, Mr. and Mrs. Maiman sent their horse-loving daughter to Black River Farm and Ranch every summer. Lauren became a member of the camp’s staff, teaching horseback riding lessons and mentoring children.

In 2003, Lauren moved east to attend Boston University. Graduating Cum Laude in 2006, Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism with a minor in Spanish. Today, she puts her camping, writing and Spanish skills to the test as Camp Casey’s Director of Public Relations.

Lauren dedicates her efforts at Camp Casey to several of her friends who passed away from childhood cancer. Prior to coming to work at Camp Casey, Lauren was an active supporter of the Children’s Leukemia Foundation, Make-A-Wish of Michigan and Camp Mak-a-Dream in Montana. She hopes she can give back as much as these programs have given her.

In addition to her work with Camp Casey, Lauren works as a Public Relations consultant at a Farmington Hills public relations firm.

Danielle Martin

Danielle started volunteering with Camp Casey in 2009 and found that her love for animals and children made working on Camp Casey’s staff a perfect fit. Danielle acquired her business skills from Central Michigan University and uses them to keep Camp Casey’s administration endeavors running, while also using her cosmetology license to keep Camp Casey’s staff looking as well-groomed as their horse, Moe.
Danielle loves working with families, child-life specialists and Camp Casey’s nonprofit friends to schedule Horsey House Calls, Cowboy Camp Outs and Outlaw Outings. If your family wants to apply to one of Camp Casey’s free services, or if you can nominate or suggest a family, contact Danielle.

Danielle lives in Royal Oak with her snoring Boston Terrier, Roxie, and kitty, Bella.

Amy Gill

Amy fell in love with horses when she was eight years old during her first summer at Black River Farm and Ranch. She became a counselor and certified horseback riding instructor at BR, and also cared for her own horse, Sincerity, before moving on to college. Amy was Molly Melamed’s (founder and executive director) first counselor at Black River and they became fast friends. Years later, while at Michigan State, Molly asked Amy to get involved with Camp Casey as a volunteer and the rest is history.

Amy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Michigan State University in 2001. She was a sales trainer at Rock Financial/Quicken Loans until August 2007, when she made the move to head up curriculum development at Bizdom U, a non-profit entrepreneurship program in the city of Detroit.

Today, Amy is our equine director, spearheading the Horsey House Call program and caring for Camp Casey’s first permanent camp horse, Moe! She is a certified instructor by the North American Handicapped Riders Association. She lives in Ferndale with her husband, Keith, rescued dogs, Denson and Jed, and her cat, Chloe.

Moe
Moe, a 13-year-old quarter horse gelding, has recently joined the Camp Casey team as the most vital component of our Horsey House Calls program. Accompanied by our Equine Director, Amy Gill, Moe will travel to the homes of kids too sick to attend Cowboy Camp Outs.

We are so thankful to the Milliken family who donated Moe to us, as well as to the anonymous foundation that provided us the funds to buy a horse trailer and Ford truck to transport Moe around town. Keep your eyes peeled for our fabulous furry friend…. he’s on the move all around Michigan!