Happy New Year, The JBA members!
It is a brand new year and the Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association is coming out swinging!
We have a variety of fun and exciting events coming up in 2012 which are not to be missed.
We begin with the YLS second annual “Super Chili Bowl Charity Cook-Off.” This event is scheduled 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the campus of Florida Coastal School of Law. In addition to the chili contest, there will be a silent auction with some great prizes, including golf packages, fishing trips and restaurant gift certificates and the event promises to be fun for the whole family including a bounce house, cornhole games and face painters.
The staple course will be complemented with beer, wine, desserts and live music from Electric Otter, featuring The Jacksonville Bar Association’s own Casey Stripling and Bryan Neal.
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, participants and attendees, last year’s event was a tremendous success, which raised more than $5,000 for The Sanctuary on 8th Street.
This year all funds raised will benefit The Missing Link of Jacksonville Inc. The Missing Link is a local, nonprofit charity organization that offers free legal services to help victims of domestic violence liberate themselves from their abusive relationships.
Since its formation in 2005, The Missing Link has helped countless victims and been recognized by the City of Jacksonville with the outstanding Judicial Victim Advocate Award.
This is truly a wonderful cause and there are several great ways you, your firm or your business can show your support.
Local law firms and businesses may sponsor the Chili Cook-off at one of three sponsorship levels: Habanero ($500), Jalapeno ($250) and Poblano ($100).
All sponsors will be included on all promotional materials and each sponsor will receive a number of admission tickets to the event. Additionally, Habanero sponsors will receive a full team entry fee.
Aside from the sponsorship opportunities businesses or firms may enter a team for $250. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased ahead of time through the YLS or at the event. If you have any additional questions regarding the Chili Cook-Off, please contact Christian George at [email protected] or Eric Roberson at [email protected] with any questions regarding this fun event for a very worthy cause.
Second, the YLS’s annual “Run for Cover” 5K race will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7. For those with families or those who find the full 5K a little daunting, there also will be a 1-mile fun run.
This year’s race will start and finish in Riverside Park near historic Five Points. The race will wind through the scenic neighborhoods of Riverside to Willow Branch Park and back. Following the race, all runners, spectators and volunteers will enjoy a party with awards, live music and free beer and pizza. Race proceeds, contributions and donations will benefit the Florida Skin Cancer Foundation.
“Run For Cover” is one of several races in Florida ran in honor of Alan C. Sundberg Jr., who died of skin cancer in 1998 at the young age of 33. Alan was the son of former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan C. Sundberg and brother of Tallahassee lawyer Bill Sundberg, one of the founding members of the Florida Skin Cancer Foundation.
Skin cancer is the fastest growing and most common type of cancer in the United States today. More than 1 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, is most commonly found in men and women between the ages of 25 and 29.
The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented if simple measures are taken. In fact, the disease is almost 100 percent curable if it is detected and treated early. Therefore, before, during and after the race, free private skin-cancer screenings will be offered to everyone (runners, spectators and volunteers) by local dermatologists with the Jacksonville Dermatology Society. For more than six years, dozens of folks have been helped by the early detection of skin abnormalities as a result of the screenings conducted at this race.
To register for the race, please do so at your nearest 1st Place Sports location or online at www.1stplacesports.com.
YLS currently is seeking sponsors for this year’s race. Each sponsor will be featured in all promotional materials and publications distributed throughout the community and each sponsor’s firm or business logo will appear on the back of this year’s “Run for Cover” T-shirt, which is given to every runner.
For sponsorship or volunteer information or any other questions, please contact me at [email protected] or (904) 728-9940 or Brad Blair at [email protected].
The YLS thanks you for your continued support and we hope to see each of you at our upcoming events!