The JBA Pro Bono Committee Chairwoman
It may be called “Run for ONE,” but this event’s proceeds and message echo beyond one person, one group and one event.
The brainchild and initiative of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, the committee is putting together a “Run for ONE” team to participate in The Human Race Run/Walk on Saturday, October 8. The Human Race is organized by HandsOn Jacksonville, the RITA Foundation and 1st Place Sports. The purpose of the Run/Walk is to raise funds for local nonprofits and school groups.
The Run for ONE team will be comprised of local attorneys, legal advocates and members of the judiciary, including Judges Jean Johnson, Hugh Carithers, Virginia Norton and James Daniel.
Team members will be exercising more than their muscles during the race: 100 percent of the pledged dollars will go directly to supporting pro bono legal services for low-income and vulnerable persons throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
The team and all donations received will help in providing support for local pro bono services at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Guardian ad Litem, Three Rivers Legal Services, Missing Link of Jacksonville Inc. and the Office of Public Defender.
For Mark Bajalia, a partner at Brennan, Manna & Diamond and a member of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, the Run for ONE campaign is a natural fit.
“Our committee is part of a statewide effort to promote pro bono services throughout all circuits in the State of Florida. One of the things that was suggested by the judges who serve on the Committee was to have a run/walk to support the ONE Campaign and the agencies that provide pro bono services within our community,” said Bajalia. “The purpose of the Run for ONE event is to not only raise money for the agencies that provide pro bono services in Northeast Florida, but also to raise awareness within our community generally.”
Team registration for Run for ONE closes on 7 a.m. Oct. 5. The 5K race will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at St. Johns Town Center.
In such pressing economic times, Bajalia stresses the importance of coming out, getting involved and raising awareness and support for local pro bono programs.
“The current economic situation has created a unique dynamic whereby more people than ever need legal services but are not able to pay for it and the agencies that provide those services are being stretched to the limit both in terms of capacity and financially,” said Bajalia. “It is important to participate in this event because we not only need to raise awareness about those services that are available, but also to support those agencies economically that provide the services.”
Put on your running (or walking), sign up for Run for ONE, and give back to the local attorneys and legal aid programs who take their time to give to our community.
To register go to the Hands On Jacksonville website: www.handsonjacksonville.org. Those who are unable to participate may also visit the website and make a donation to the team. Support for the One Campaign, Run for One team is greatly appreciated.
For more information on the Run for One and pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit, contact Kathy Para, chairperson, The JBA Pro Bono Committee, [email protected].