FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Heather Surface
(904) 588-4140
heather@surfacecommunications.com
Tom Helm
(904) 346-5528
thelm@rtlaw.com
Jacksonville Young Lawyers Bring Holiday Joy to Foster Children in January
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 29,
2007) – Local foster children between the ages of one and 14 received
a special holiday, thanks to members of Jacksonville’s business and legal
community. On Saturday, January 27th, 25 foster children attended the annual
Holiday in January, a holiday-themed event where children received gifts, food,
entertainment and, of course, a visit from Saint Nick. The Young Lawyers Section
of the Jacksonville Bar Association joined with Family Support Services of North
Florida, Inc. to present the Holiday in January Project geared especially for
children who entered the foster care system after December 20, thus missing
Christmas with their families. The Northeast Florida Paralegal Association provided
crafts and activities for the children.
Every child who was registered for the event received a new bike and helmet,
and area attractions and businesses such as the Jacksonville Zoo, Adventure
Landing, Sea World, Target, Wal-Mart and others generously donated gifts and
funds to support the cause. Wal-Mart, in particular, gave a $2,000 grant to
support the effort.
“Saturday was one of the most beautiful events we have witnessed,”
said Jim Adams, CEO of Family Support Services of North Florida. “The
team of volunteers did an excellent job and a lot of children had an enjoyable
experience they will remember for life.”
“To me and my colleagues, the greatest reward was the smiles on the kids’
faces when they saw the gifts and outpouring of support from the community,”
said James Birr, chair of the Christmas in January project and board member
of the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association.
Project donors included The Alford
Law Group; Barnes, Barnes & Cohen; Bedell Dittmar Devault, Pillans &
Coxe; Coffman, Coleman, Andrews & Grogan; Coker, Schickel, Sorenson &
Daniel; Courtney N. Williford; Driver, McAfee & Griggs; Eraclides, Johns,
Hall, Gelman Eikner & Johannessen; Fallgatter Farmand & Catlin; Foerster,
Issac and Yerkes; Ford & Harrison; Heather R Seay; Bryan Seay; Hilda Stewart;
Law Office of W. C. Gentry; Lindell Farson & Pincket; Lori Aldrich; McGuire
Woods; Regan Zebouni & Walker; Raymond W. Miller, Jr.; Rogers Towers; Sharron
R. Miller; Sheldon B. Forte; Tanner & Bishop; Thomas H. Miller; Andrea J.
Miller; Wal-Mart; and Watson & Osborne Title Services, Inc.
About JBA/YLS
The Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section ("JBA/YLS")
is composed of area young lawyers who are 35-years-old or younger, or who have
been practicing law less than five years. The JBA/YLS has a large and enthusiastic
membership and a very active and committed Board of Governors. JBA/YLS is dedicated
to providing a diverse array of programs and projects designed to benefit young
lawyers, all members of the bar, and the community.
About FSS
Family Support Services of North Florida is a non-profit organization that serves
as lead agency for adoption and foster care in Duval County. Governed by a volunteer
board of directors specifically selected to represent the Jacksonville community
in developing and overseeing the child protection system of care, FSS aims to
provide for the safety and stability of children and families by strengthening
the child protection system and involving neighborhood networks to ensure success.
Community-based care is provided by a number of contracted providers including
Children’s Home Society, Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC), Jewish
Family and Community Services, Daniel and PSI Family Services.
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