by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Three charities benefit from two law firms
High winds and dropping temperatures didn’t reduce the giving spirit at the second annual “Merry Charity” event at One Ocean Wednesday night.
The law offices of Maggie Jo Hilliard and Camerlengo & Brockwell combined their efforts to organize a charity even benefiting The Sulzbacher Center, Guardian ad Litem and Sanctuary on 8th Street. The law firms challenged people to form teams and collect needed items from lists submitted by the charities. Each item earned teams points that were redeemed for entries into prize drawings, highlighted by two tickets to any destination JetBlue services. Six teams participated, but more donations arrived at the party Wednesday night.
“With 150 participants and over 2,000 donations, we have truly made a collaborative charitable impact on our community,” said Maggie Jo Hilliard, one of the organizers of the event. “People came together in the spirit of charity and donated what they could spare and what they could share.”
Fun and giving went hand in hand at the event and part of the fun was the ugly holiday sweater contest, which was one by Sarah Mills of Affinity law firm. Her red sweater was adorned with jingle bells and a miniature Santa sat on her shoulder.
“We couldn’t have imagined that we would have gotten such an overwhelming response,” said Joe Camerlengo, founder of Camerlengo & Brockwell, as he looked over the mounds of toys that were donated by team competition winner “Team Awesome.” The team filled a small bus with toys and multiple trips were needed to empty the bus.
Organizers won’t rest on this success, as they begin planning the next “Merry Charity” event in February 2010. To get involved contact Hilliard at [email protected] or call at 247-7600.
356-2466