Archive for November, 2011
Inside: Guest Editor’s Column
It is a beautiful time of year – the weather fluctuates between the sun and rain, the mornings are brisk, the days seem short and the colorful leaves begin to fall. It is also the time of the year when you hear people say, “it’s the season for giving”. In this spirit, this issue of the Contra Costa Lawyer offers ways to give back throughout the year and spotlights local attorneys who have done just that.
November 2011 President’s Message
Fall is a busy time for the Bar Association. Check out the calendar if you haven’t already – there is a lot going on! Here are some highlights: In very recent news, our CASA fundraising event on October 6th was a raging success, raising $30,000 for this worthy cause! Thanks to all of our members and supporting firms for their contributions. Check out the photos on our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/CCCBA
Giving Back
Below you will all of the non-profit organizations, volunteer- and giving opportunities mentioned in our November 2011 “Giving Back” Contra Costa Lawyer magazine – Happy Giving!
Giving back – Lawyer Style
This month, we are featuring member attorneys who give back to their communities in exceptional ways. From Amigos de las Americas and the Salvation Army to Team in Training and Friends Outside, these attorneys support causes that are personally meaningful and critical to the communities they serve:
Giving Back – Lawyer Style: Elva Harding
My Amigos experience started when a friend made a presentation to my high school Spanish class about her summer living with a family in Mexico. One thing led to another, and I spent the summer of 1984 living with a family and building latrines in rural Dominican Republic.
Giving Back – Lawyer Style: Ruth Noelani Buzzard
Whenever I hear the name Salvation Army, I envision events like Hurricane Katrina or Joplin, Missouri: disaster relief of monumental proportions. Many people don’t realize that the …
Giving Back – Lawyer Style: Margaret Grover
Giving back enriches my life and helps me realize that I am truly privileged. I try to find ways to give back that encourage or empower others to volunteer as well. One of my favorite activities is Team in Training, which trains endurance athletes who raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Giving Back – Lawyer Style: CCCBA Juvenile Section
The members of the Contra Costa County Bar Juvenile law Section work with families with children who have been abused or neglected. Many of the children in these cases have to be removed from their homes while their parent(s) work on a plan to cure the problems which resulted in the removal of their children and led them into the court system.
Judge Steven K. Austin – An Extra-Ordinary Example of Giving Back
“We make a living by what we earn. We make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
After speaking with Judge Steven K. Austin recently in his chambers, it became clear that he exemplifies this statement.
Free Legal Workshop All-Stars
Those of you who have been around CCCBA awhile will remember ACE nights (for the newbies, ACE stands for Attorney Counseling Evening) where many attorneys provided guidance to hundreds of local residents one night a month. Those large ACE nights have evolved into ongoing, smaller monthly topic-specific free legal workshops. Over the years, there have been volunteers who have given their time month after month, often for many years, at these workshops. I would like to highlight a few for you:
Give and You Shall Receive…
According to a newly released report from the Atlas of Giving, charitable giving in the United States totaled $323.86 billion in 2010, up 6.6% from 2009. With planning, you can maximize your impact on your favorite charity.
Helping Out During the Holidays and Beyond
During the holidays, when friends and families gather to enjoy each other’s company, many want to share their good fortune and give back time or money to help brighten the lives of others. But where …
Rethinking Gifts During the Holidays
Some years ago, my family had an email exchange during the holidays to discuss gift giving between adults, and whether those gifts still felt “right.” We were all professionals, earning good livings and able to provide for our families. We all had more stuff than we needed and there was always Costco in case we felt like we needed more stuff.
Helping Out During the Holidays & Beyond
As the holidays approach, many people’s thoughts turn to helping out those who are less fortunate. Many, many individuals, families and groups want to volunteer their time to serve food or assist others in some way during the holidays. As a former staffer at the Volunteer Center of the East Bay, I fielded many calls from well-meaning people calling the day before Thanksgiving or the week before Christmas wanting to know how they can be of service to others.
Helping Raise a Teen’s Holiday Spirit
As the holidays approach, images arise of children anticipating gift- opening time. But, for some, the images do not match reality. There are kids who have grown into teenagers, many having lost the magic of Santa Claus and of wishing. Growing up, however, is not the only reason for the loss.
Giving Made Easy
A donor advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle that is administered
by a public charity in order to manage charitable donations on behalf of an organization, family, or individual. Unlike most planned giving alternatives, a donor-advised account has no setup costs, low ongoing expenses and no additional taxes assessed on income earned by the account.
Your Membership Matters – Renew Today!
Your membership helped us accomplish so much this year!
Contra Costa Lawyer Wins Luminary Award
Two weeks ago, we were honored to receive a Luminary Award for this very site, our online companion to the Contra Costa Lawyer magazine. Luminary Award winners are selected each year for
Gala Reception in support of CASA
On October 6, 2011, more than 120 guests gathered at the Lafayette Park Hotel to celebrate retired Judge Richard Patsey for founding CASA of Contra Costa County 30 years ago. The event raised more than $30,000 for CASA – Thank you to our sponsors, supporters, guests and volunteers!
In Memoriam: Daniel J. McNamara
Daniel J. McNamara
January 7, 1923 August 31, 2011
Resident of Alameda
Daniel J. McNamara died on August 31, 2011 at the age of 88 with his family by his side. Born in Santa Monica, he spent most …
