Local Heroes Firm Commitments HBA Nominees Take Top Honors in State Bar Pro Bono Awards Third Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Awards 26th John J. Eikenburg Law Week Fun Run Law Week Celebrates Legacy of John Adams
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THE HOUSTON
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Volume 48 – Number 6
May/June 2011
The 61st Harvest Party raised $527,500 in underwriting for the Houston Bar Foundation. The Lawyers for Literacy Fall Book Drive collected 9,111 books for shelters and literacy projects, and the HBA team won its 9th title in the Great Grownup Spelling Bee, benefiting the Houston READ Commission. 9,031 students were reached through Constitution Day readings in local elementary schools, while the HBA’s partnership with the Chronicle in Education Program reached 19,899 students in middle and high schools. There were more than 13,600 people served by the Volunteer Lawyers Program, with volunteers handling 2,000 pro bono cases in 2010. The Campaign for the Homeless Committee collected 5,559 coats, jackets, and items of cold weather clothing for shelters that serve the homeless in the Fall Coat and Warm Clothing Drive, along with 222 suits for Dress for Success Houston and $1,871 in cash to purchase new suits for economically disadvantaged women entering the work force. The Fall and Spring IDEA Programs reached over 2,100 fifth graders in five Houston school districts through an interactive dialogue on the legal and health consequences of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The Speakers Bureau provided speakers for 202 programs, reaching 8,353 people. 4,693 high school seniors participated in presentations on the Importance of Jury Service. 4,931 LegalLine calls were answered by volunteers. 1,400 youth and their parents went through the Juvenile Consequences Program last year. The Dispute Resolution Center conducted 2,867 mediations in 2010 and provided information and referral services for 47,336 people. The Continuing Legal Education Program provided 469 hours of free CLE. 271 people attended four luncheons hosted by the Senior Lawyers Forum. The Campaign for the Homeless Committee collected 4,000 items and a record $4,750 to purchase new diapers for shelters and agencies that serve children and families through the Spring Children’s Clothing and Diaper Drive. The Juvenile Justice Mock Trial Program taught 1,170 eighth graders about the justice system. 315 high school students learned about the Voir Dire process this fall. 2011 Law Week programs reached over 8,500 youth in Harris County through readings, contests, and other programs.
HBA Volunteers: Not Just Another Statistic