"When I am not volunteering with the Guardian ad Litem program, I volunteer my time in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I serve as a member of the executive committee in planning the LLS Light the Night event on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Jacksonville Landing and in organizing the participation of Akerman’s Jacksonville office as part of this event. The Light the Night Walk is an annual evening walk that raises funds and awareness for the LLS mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. I volunteer in support of this cause because it helps a group of people in need and it is the right thing to do. For more information, visit lightthenight.org."
Aleksas A. Barauskas, Akerman LLP
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"I recently started volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a ‘big’ as part of United Way’s Achievers For Life program. I was matched up with a sixth-grader who was identified as ‘at risk’ to be her ‘big sister’ and hopefully to give her consistent support from an adult figure in her life – essentially to give her an outlet and someone she can talk to and rely on. I started with this program because, although I have my own kids, I know there are far too many kids in Jacksonville that don’t have a reliable family situation and who may slip through the cracks if no one is there for them. I learned that there are not enough BBBS volunteers and felt that this would be a great way to give back and really make a difference."
Nancy Johnson, Gillis Way & Campbell
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"I am in my second season as a volunteer with Gator Bowl Sports. While our most prominent task is to present the annual TaxSlayer Bowl, our organization is also active in the Jacksonville community in ways not only related to other sports, but also to numerous charitable endeavors. In assisting with the Gator Bowl Sports mission, I have the opportunity to increase our impact on numerous organizations in the area and to produce events which bring millions of dollars in revenue to the First Coast every year. This revenue, in turn, further supports and enriches our community."
Zachary R. Roth, Ansbacher Law
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"As lawyers, we are called to be public servants — even if we are in private practice. I answer that call by volunteering with local legal aid organizations, such as Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. It is enormously rewarding to sit down with someone and help him or her to resolve a problem that requires a lawyer’s assistance."
W. Bradley Russell, Foley & Lardner LLP