by David Chapman
Staff Writer
With an assist from the Nassau County Bar and many members of the Florida Bar Board of Governors, close to 50 foster children from communities in and around Nassau County received a treat during this holiday season.
The Florida Bar Board of Governors convened at Amelia Island earlier this month and as has been the custom during their meetings across the state, they collaborated with the Nassau County Bar to host a holiday party complete with individual presents, treats and a visit from Santa Claus – played by Florida Bar President Jesse Diner.
“It means a lot to the children,” said Nassau County Bar President Chanda Rogers, who helped coordinate the event at the historic courthouse in Fernindina. “It’s also an example of just how much attorneys give back and do care about their communities ... when we started putting this together, they’d just ask ‘What do you need?’”
Jacksonville attorney Jake Schickel is on the Florida Bar Board of Governors and has partaken in several of the events, saying the heartwarming event does make a difference in the children’s lives.
“I really do love being a part of this,” said Schickel during the event. “You can tell when they walk in the door how happy it makes them.”
Close to 100 people filled the halls of the courthouse, where between flashbulbs and smiles, the children received an individualized present purchased through donations from the Florida Bar’s Board of Governors and Nassau Bar.
356-2466