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Local firms mark holidays with charitable events
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: November 24, 2015
It’s that time of year again, when shoppers hit the malls in search of perfect gifts and those at some northeast Ohio law firms put their giving feet forward, participating in a series of charitable events.
On Thanksgiving, at least five people from the personal injury law firm Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR) will take to the pavement in the annual Home Run for the Homeless (https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/OH/Akron/HomeRunfortheHomeless).
The four-mile run/walk and one-mile fun walk in Akron raises funds for Gennesaret Inc., a nonprofit corporation that provides long-term housing for homeless two-parent families in Summit County.
The race comes on the heels of the firm’s third annual Turkey Giveaway and Coats & Cans for Kids drive, which took place on Nov. 20.
One thousand Butterball turkeys were given to people who donated a non-perishable food item or a gently used coat. The food donations went to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and The Salvation Army of Summit County received the coats.
“This is our favorite event of the year,” said Rob Nestico, managing partner at KNR. “To see so many people willing to give a little to help their less fortunate neighbors is a great way to start the holiday season.”
The firm’s Akron office at 3412 W. Market St. is also serving as a drop-off site for several events, including the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and the Long Haul Against Hunger campaign.
Sponsored by several local radio stations, the Dec. 4 Long Haul Against Hunger event asks listeners to drop off non-perishable food and monetary donations benefiting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
“This is the second year the firm is serving as a location for the Long Haul Against Hunger,” said Nestico. “WKDD will be setting up tents in our parking lot at 6 a.m. and will air the event live. Last year we were the highest revenue generating location.”
People can also drop off items at Levin Furniture in North Canton and The J.M. Smucker Company Store and Café on Wadsworth Road in Orrville.
On Dec. 19 more than a dozen employees will work off some holiday calories in the annual Selfless Elf 5K run, which raises money for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. The race gets underway at 350 Opportunity Pkwy (http://www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/events/foodbank/selfless-elf-2015).
“The main point of all these events is giving back to the community,” said Nestico. “Last year, we raised a little over $100,000 between all these events.”
Those at Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs kicked off their holiday giving by purchasing a tree at the 2015 Holiday Tree Festival, which runs from Nov. 21 to 29 at the John S. Knight Center.
“Individuals, businesses and families can buy trees and decorate them,” said Nicole Winkleman, business development and marketing coordinator. “During the Tree Festival the trees are sold. Last year, our tree sold for $800 and we spent about $850 with all the decorations.”
The proceeds support patient care programs, education and research at Akron Children’s Hospital.
In addition, lawyers and support staff in the Cleveland office plan to come together for the tenth year in a row to decorate at Front Steps Housing and Services. The organization provides mentally disabled and low-income individuals and families in Cuyahoga County with permanent supportive housing.
“Last year about 29 attorneys, support staff and their families spent the morning of Saturday, Dec. 6 decorating the community room, hallways and other common areas,” said Winkleman.
The firm also presented the organization with a check for $460 to purchase new rugs and curtains for the common areas. Attorneys and staff in the Cleveland office bought gifts for the residents based on their “wish lists.”
On Dec. 5 at least 20 people will continue the firm’s tradition. Legal assistant Janet Pietro is creating handmade wreaths, which will be sold at a raffle during the firm’s annual holiday lunch in the Cleveland office to raise money for the organization.
“Buckingham generously contributes both time and money throughout the year,” said Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs managing partner, John Slagter. “However many of our activities during the holiday season have special meaning to us. Giving back provides us an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are and what is truly important in life.”
In the Mahoning Valley, several attorneys at Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell have put away their razors and joined the “Movember” movement.
The international initiative encourages men to grow facial hair as a way to raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancers, with the goal of getting more men to undergo regular exams and PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) tests.
Partner Patrick Wilson launched the initiative at the firm in 2010, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer the year before. His father and father-in-law had previously lost their lives to the disease.
Wilson had surgery and continues to undergo follow-up visits.
In 2010, Wilson was the only one to grow facial hair, but the movement did catch on. This year, he’s working on a full beard as are attorneys Vito Abruzzino and John Pogue. Matthew Ries is going the route of a mustache and goatee.
“In the last few years, we switched our focus from raising money to awareness,” said Wilson. “The main reason is that while every dollar is helpful, we never raised enough to truly move the needle. Now our goal is to start and keep the conversation going about men’s health issues to encourage regular screenings.”
Wilson said any funds generated go to Man Up Mahoning Valley, which seeks to raise awareness about the importance of regular prostate cancer screenings and exams, while working to help patients gain access to treatment.
Additionally, public officials in Mahoning Valley have banded together to support the fourth annual “Giving Tuesday.”
Coming on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the national movement shines a spotlight on the importance of charitable causes.
To mark the Dec. 1 event, Youngstown Mayor John McNally, Warren Mayor William “Doug” Franklin, Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel and other local leaders partnered with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and WFMJ-TV Channel 21 to produce and air Public Service Announcements.
In the PSAs, local leaders encourage people to give back to the communities where they live.
Linda Kostka, coordinator of development and donor services at the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, said the goal of the promotion is “to remind people to think about those less fortunate as they participate in the buying frenzy that takes place at this time of the year and give back to their communities.”
Youngstown Mayor John McNally said he hopes the PSAs “get people to stop and think about giving back instead of simply consuming.
“Giving Tuesday is a good reminder to people to give to an organization or charitable cause or to go volunteer a few hours over the holiday season.”