According to a recent article, a couple in Virginia invited friends to bring spare change to a party for the benefit of a charity. Guests were encouraged to look in drawers, under sofa cushions, cookie jars, piggy banks and in their cars to cull together any amount.
By the end of the party, the revelers garnered coins totaling more than $1,500 for the charity. Interestingly, only a few brought more than $30 in change; most donated only what they believed to be an insignificant amount. Surprisingly, the article went on to say that Americans, collectively, have an estimated $7.7 billion in loose coins just lying around.
Like spare change, the same could be said of our time that we devote to community service. Some may feel that in the grand scheme it does not matter whether we participate in a particular community service project because the little bit of time we are able to carve out would be of little value, like those loose coins. What may seem insignificant, however, can be substantial to the community when our collective efforts are combined.
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Jacksonville attorneys gave a little of their time Oct. 4 by participating in the Special Olympics. This event was sponsored in part by the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association in conjunction with Special Olympics, Duval County. The Games featured approximately 260 special athletes who competed in a bowling event at the Jacksonville Lanes, Grove Park The athletes followed competition rules and scoring. First place winners received trophies; all other athletes received ribbons for their participation. Aside from the trophies and ribbons, these athletes were much more interested in fellowship and interaction with the volunteers. After the competition, the athletes and volunteers went to the FCCJ Southside Campus for food and entertainment.
Special thanks to Rick Postin (Director of Special Olympics, Duval County), Kevin Cook, Esq. (Bedell, Dittmar, DeVault, Pillans & Coxe) and his legal assistant Melissa Moon for organizing the Young Lawyers Section volunteers. In addition to Kevin and Melissa, we thank the following volunteers: Troy Smith, Esq. (Smith, Hulsey & Busey), Patrick Coll, Esq. and Rita Nichols, Esq. (Bedell, Dittmar, DeVault, Pillans & Coxe), Tammy Butler, Esq. (Driver & McAfee), Karen Kelly, Esq. (Holland & Knight), Paul Kelly, Esq. and legal assistant Ruby Grayson and her daughter (Smith Hulsey & Busey).
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One of the next community service projects sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section is the 2004 Holiday in January Project. Every year the Young Lawyers Section joins with the Florida Department of Children & Families to produce the Holiday in January Project. Through this event, Jacksonville’s foster children are given gifts that these children don’t typically receive during the holiday season. Last year, the children and their foster parents enjoyed refreshments and live music from a local high school band in addition to receiving gifts — Santa Claus even made an appearance from the North Pole. The event has been a tremendous success as a result of the assistance of volunteers and financial support from the Jacksonville legal community and The Florida Bar.
The Young Lawyers Section is currently soliciting volunteers to ensure a successful 2004 Holiday in January Project, which is expected to serve even more foster children than the 2003 Project. Those of you who can spare a few hours to help with this project, please contact Geddes Anderson (Liles, Gavin, Costantino & Murphy) at 634-1100 or Tammy Butler (Driver & McAfee) at 301-1265.