Category Archives: Society: Social Services

The Latest news about what is available to our Society in North America, These PR articles, bring the newest technologies, initiatives and helpful tools to those who need them through social services.

HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia to Attend Savoy Foundation’s 22nd Annual Savoy Ball Charity Gala in New York City Benefiting NY Foundling Summer Camp


2019 Ballo di Savoia (Savoy Ball) Annual Winter Gala Charity Ball

Chivalry For Children’s Causes”

HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Prince of Venice and Prince of Piedmont, will be the guest of honor at the 22nd annual Ballo di Savoia charity gala on December 14, 2019 in New York City. The white and black-tie winter charity gala, taking place at the Metropolitan Club on Fifth Avenue, will benefit NY Foundling’s Camp Felix Program, which provides a summer camp experience for inner city foster-care children. Each $1,000 raised will sponsor one child. The Ballo di Savoia is organized by the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, which is supported by 200 knights and dames in the United States who are members of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders. The American Delegation is part of the historic dynastic and chivalric Orders of the thousand-year Royal House of Savoy, which united Italy as a kingdom between 1860 and 1871.

In additional to attending the Savoy Ball, the Prince, whose royal title is also Prince of Venice, will attend the American Foundation of Savoy Orders’ inaugural cocktail reception for the newly established Savoy Orders Youth Program in the United States, on the evening of Thursday, December 12, 2019. The event is jointly sponsored with Savoy Venice Inc. which raises funds to preserve the artistic heritage of Venice. The Prince and the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy stand in solidarity with Venice, the city of his namesake, which has recently suffered the second worst flood in 50 years.

Every year the Savoy Foundation raises critical revenue through gala ticket sales, program advertisements, sponsorships and contributions for its various philanthropic initiatives, particularly for children’s causes. Prior to Saturday’s evening Gala, a private reception for the Patrons and Benefactors will be held and a Welcome Reception on Friday evening, December 13 at the Lotos Club for guests attending the Savoy Ball.

For more information on supporting the Ballo di Savoia click here and the Fund-A-Need for Foster-care Children Summer Camp, click here

CONTACT:

Larissa Van Duser, Executive Director, American Foundation of Savoy Orders

amsavoy@aol.com, +1 212 972 0495

ABOUT THE ROYAL HOUSE OF SAVOY

The Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy http://www.ordinidinasticicasasavoia.it/ are among the oldest orders of Knighthood and Merit in the world. The Savoy Orders are headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and have 35 Delegations worldwide that support the Orders’ ongoing charitable works. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals date back a thousand years. HRH Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, Prince of Naples and Duke of Savoy, is Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of the Savoy Orders. Prince Emanuele Filiberto is his son and the hereditary crown Prince of Italy and currently serves as President of the Council of the Savoy Orders.

In 1946, when the Kingdom of Italy came to an end, the House of Savoy was the Europe’s oldest reigning dynasty. The heads of the House of Savoy had ruled, first as counts, then as dukes and finally as kings, for almost a thousand years. Descended in the direct male line from a tenth-century vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Savoys ruled the Alpine state of Aosta, as well as Savoy, where they established their capital at Chambery. Their dominion was eventually extended to include Piedmont and other territories in what are now Italy, France and Switzerland. By the eighteenth century, the Savoys were kings of Sicily and then Sardinia, and it was under their aegis that the Italian states were united by 1871.

The Royal Family’s heritage can be seen in castles and palaces, and in the beauty of the northwestern Italian city of Turin, the Savoys’ magnificent capital in the heart of Piedmont in the 16th into the 19th centuries. The dynastic chivalric traditions of the Royal House of Savoy continue. The Order of the Annunciation and the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, two of the world’s oldest knightly institutions, are still alive today, epitomizing the dynasty’s medieval spirit while supporting very modern charitable works in Italy, Switzerland, France, Japan, the United States and elsewhere. Chivalry lives. Today, the House of Savoy remains one of the oldest royal dynasties.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION AND DELEGATION OF SAVOY ORDERS

Headquartered in New York City, the American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes the United States of America, is among the 35 delegations of the Savoy Orders located throughout Europe, the Americas and Japan.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated, http://www.savoia.org a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, supports local, national, and international charities focusing on medical, educational, and humanitarian fields, including philanthropy for U.S. veterans, hospitals and relief agencies for children, the poor, sick and elderly. The Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization in Roster Consultative Statues with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. In 2019, the Savoy Foundation launched a new charitable initiative – Chivalry for Children’s Causes – a multi-year program assistance to institutions and charitable organizations that provide aid to children and families in need, building stable, healthy families, whether enrichment spaces or basic meals for improved health and stable living conditions in economically disadvantaged environments. The program is made possible thanks to generous support from the members and friends of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders.

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Pond Lehocky continues to spread holiday cheer


Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano will once again be spreading holiday cheer over the weeks leading up to Christmas by contributing to local and national charities selected by the firm’s clients, partners, attorneys and staff.

This will be Pond Lehocky’s third straight year presenting 25 Days of Giving. Beginning Dec. 1, the firm has been:            

  •     Volunteering in the local community
  •     Holding special holiday events for the sick and underprivileged
  •     Creating cards and care packages
  •     Donating to charities

Here are the charities and organizations the firm will be supporting Week 2:

Day 9: Alzheimer’s Association, a national organization supporting research, care, and advocacy for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Day 10: WePAC, the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children, promotes childhood literacy by engaging volunteers to reopen and staff libraries and promote academic mentoring.

Day 11: Families Forward Philadelphia, the city’s largest emergency shelter for families and travelers providing advice, guidance, protection, and shelter since 1915.

Day 12: Rock Ministries of Philadelphia, a boxing and mentorship program in Kensington, Philadelphia, serving over 5,000 kids through sports, arts, music, mentoring and Bible studies, and providing food to the needy in the community.

Day 13: Cards for Hospitalized Kids, a national organization that collects handmade cards from across the globe to distribute to hospitalized kids in need all year long, and Operation Gratitude, a national organization supporting U.S. Military and First Responder communities by sending care packages and letters to deployed soldiers and to their children at home.

Day 14: Lupus Foundation of America, the only national organization devoted to solving the mystery of lupus.

Day 15: Team Foster, founded by Pond Lehocky Associate Nick Liermann, raises money to partner service dogs with veterans suffering from combat-related disabilities including PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

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The Tenafly Mansion is Open for Business This Winter Season


As a hospitality entrepreneur and founder of the Tenafly Mansion, Steven Baharestani seeks to support children and enable them to have a healthy relationship with their fathers.

Tenafly Mansion, a private club that caters to the unique needs of single dads is open for business this holiday season. The beautifully decorated home just 12 miles from Manhattan provides opportunities for fathers to maintain or re-establish relationships with their children in a comfortable and safe environment.

As a hospitality entrepreneur and founder of the Tenafly Mansion, Steven Baharestani seeks to support children and enable them to have a healthy relationship with their fathers. Unfortunately, Steven knows first-hand the challenges of being a divorced dad, fighting false allegations, and enduring supervised visits with his children in an undignified midtown Manhattan office.

“It was a humiliating experience having to visit with my kids in front of a social worker who sat behind a desk and typed up my evaluation,” Steven said. “This degrading system robs single dads of their dignity while doing incalculable psychological harm to the children.”

It’s no secret that kids are better off when both parents are actively involved in their lives. However, according to the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, U.S. single fathers more often face systemic challenges of biased courts and overall inequity. There are also the logistical challenges of coordinating the necessary support needed during visitation time, anything from putting away clutter to procuring clothes, toys or a meal.

With the holiday season approaching, single fathers can look to the Tenafly Mansion as a place to connect with their children in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Dads will have access to a play area filled with toys, a backyard with a playset, a business center, and a female concierge to treat each dad and child like royalty. Social worker supervision is also available if needed to disprove allegations.

Figure out the holiday schedule – who has the kids and when and then book your time at the Tenafly Mansion – your new home away from home.

About The Tenafly Mansion

Our mission is to support children to have a normal, healthy relationship with their fathers without disruption. Fathers can focus on connecting with their children while a female concierge deals with distractions or burdens associated with an intermittent visitation schedule.

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Intelligent.com Announces Best Social Work Degree Programs for 2020


News Image

Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 57 Best Social Work Degree Programs for 2020. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 82 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 82 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 57 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each university.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Social Work Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-social-work-degree-programs/.

2020 Social Work Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Aurora University

Bemidji State University

Boise State University

Boston University

Brescia University

Brescia University

Briar Cliff University

California State University, Northridge

Capella University

Colorado State University

Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University

Edinboro University

Florida State University

Florida State University

Humboldt State University

Huntington University

Indiana University

Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University

Liberty University

Louisiana State University

McKinley College

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Northern Arizona University

Northern University Arizona

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Ohio State University

Ohio University

Our Lady of the Lake University

Rutgers University

Rutgers University

Sacred Heart University

Salisbury University

Touro University Worldwide

Troy University

University of Alabama

University of Arkansas

University of Central Florida

University of Cincinnati

University of Iowa

University of Missouri

University of Nebraska, Kearney

University of Nebraska, Kearney

University of Nevada – Reno

University of New Hampshire

University of North Alabama

University of North Dakota

University of North Dakota

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

University of Utah

Walden University

Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

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Pond Lehocky kicks off 25 Days of Giving this week


Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano will once again be spreading holiday cheer over the weeks leading up to Christmas by contributing to local and national charities selected by the firm’s clients, partners, attorneys and staff.

This will be Pond Lehocky’s third straight year presenting 25 Days of Giving. Beginning Dec. 1, the firm will be:            

  • Volunteering in the local community
  • Holding special holiday events for the sick and underprivileged
  • Creating cards and care packages
  • Donating to charities

Here are the charities and organizations the firm is working with this week:

Day 1: Lisa’s Army, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort to courageous individuals currently undergoing cancer treatments.

Day 2: Project HOME: Women of Change, a safe haven residence for women in Philadelphia run by Project HOME, which aims to help adults, children and families break the cycle of homelessness.

Day 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an international observance by the United Nations to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development. To celebrate this international day, the firm will be supporting Disability Pride Philadelphia.

Day 4: Pennsylvania SPCA, a 100-percent donor funded animal rescue center with multiple locations throughout the state.

Day 5: Beverly’s Birthdays, an organization that provides birthday cheer to homeless children and families in need.

Day 6: Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, which provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults in Pennsylvania with intellectual disabilities.

Day 7: ChildPromise, an organization which supports housing and educational services for foster children.

Day 8: Special Olympics of New Jersey, which provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults in New Jersey with intellectual disabilities.

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From Good Deed to Nonprofit Organization, How One HVAC Technician Makes a Difference Every Thanksgiving


“When you’re knocking on someone’s door Thanksgiving eve and they start crying because they got a turkey dinner when they weren’t going to have one with their family, that changes you for the rest of your life.”

In 2002, HVAC technician Frank Speer had an idea. For Thanksgiving, he wanted to perform a good deed and deliver a few frozen turkeys to needy families in his church. 17 years later, Speer’s good deed is feeding 500 families across Orange County.

Speer’s turkey drive has humble beginnings. As a long-term employee of HVAC and plumbing company, Service Champions, Speer is encouraged to participate in “Good Deeds for Free.” Oftentimes, these good deeds are small—taking in trash cans or changing a lightbulb—but he decided to take it the next level.

Through his work in the church, Speer saw families in need and wanted to reach people beyond his community; that’s why he started Share the Light, a nonprofit organization focused on good deeds. The organization was created to help Orange County community members in need. Every year, Share the Light partners with Service Champions to distribute Thanksgiving dinners for families, veterans, and others seeking help.

“I’ve been blessed in so many ways in my life; I just wanted to find a way to give back,” said Speer. “That first year I think we passed out 3 or 4 turkeys; then when I told my friends and co-workers how rewarding it was, they asked if they help out, too. It just snowballed from there.”

Share the Light is completely donation based. This year, Speer and his dedicated team are buying and distributing food with funds donated from Service Champions employees and various grants. On Tuesday, November 26, Service Champions employees gathered at their warehouse to assemble the food into meal kits and delivered them across Orange County.

“People will have food this year because of what we’ve done to help the community, “says Speer. “That’s a big deal, and a huge blessing we’re able to that continually.”

Now, it’s an annual Service Champions tradition to assist Share the Light in any way possible. From technicians donating their time and service to employees giving what donations they can, this partnership is incredibly meaningful to the Service Champions family.

“When you’re knocking on someone’s door Thanksgiving eve and they start crying because they got a turkey dinner when they weren’t going to have one with their family, that changes you for the rest of your life,” reflects Speer.

Service Champions is Southern California’s best residential plumbing, heating & air conditioning company. We service, repair, and install all kinds and brands of heaters and air conditioners along with drain cleaning. We serve Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Please contact Katey Becker at 714-453-1219 for additional information about the company or Project Turkey.

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USPS Operation Santa making needy kids’ sad letters to Santa available online for first time, but not enough letters are coming in


Christmas volunteers sent gifts to this little girl through the USPS Operation Santa program.

This little girl wrote to Santa, and her gifts were delivered directly to her.

Some Operation Santa volunteers feel alone and sad over the holidays, and find comfort and inspiration volunteering for this program. By adopting a letter, they catch the true spirit of the holidays and know they’ll put a smile on the face of a needy child on Christmas morning.

The U.S. Postal Service has just launched a new website putting letters to Santa from needy kids online and making them available to the public to adopt.

But not enough letters from low income families are coming in this year.

“The letters asking Santa for a warm coat, new shoes, and a favorite toy can be read online this year, and volunteers have been quickly snapping them up. Demand is huge, and more letters from low-income families need to be mailed to Santa’s new address ASAP,” says Patrick Reynolds, who runs http://www.BeAnElf.org, a nonprofit that supports the USPS program. Kids and families may write to Santa at 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888, and should mail their letters by December 14th.

Reynolds says, “We think it’s okay for children to know there are volunteers out there who want to help Santa by sending a few extra gifts to kids whose parents don’t have much. Of course, after scanning and posting children’s letters on the USPS website, postal staff always send every letter on to Santa so kids will get his gifts, too.”

Be An Elf is a tax-exempt charity which supports USPS Operation Santa® by annually recruiting hundreds of new volunteers; by encouraging media to cover the story; and by providing those seeking assistance with tips for effective letter writing. Be An Elf is not affiliated with the USPS®, but offers an excellent guide to volunteers and to those seeking assistance. The tax-exempt non-profit charity gets a major in-kind grant from Google for free advertising, which they use to promote the USPS program.

Parents who are worried there won’t be enough gifts for their children this year will find great tips at BeAnElf.org/writing-to-Santa. Volunteers who want to learn more should start with the home page at BeAnElf.org and learn How to be an Elf.

In recent years the traditional walk-in program has been available in less than two dozen cities, but this year the letters may be adopted online from anywhere, and gifts can be mailed from 19,000 postal branches, thanks to a new USPS website, USPSoperationsanta.com.

To protect children’s privacy, USPS ® staff redact last names and addresses from their letters. A coded address label is printed out with each letter. Gifts must be mailed by December 20th, in time for delivery by Christmas.

“Some Operation Santa volunteers feel alone and sad over the holidays, and find comfort and inspiration volunteering for this program,” says BeAnElf.org’s Patrick Reynolds. “By adopting a letter, they catch the true spirit of the holidays. They know they’ll put a smile on the face of a needy child on Christmas morning.”

Reynolds is a grandson of tobacco company founder RJ Reynolds, but became a smoke-free advocate after his father, RJ Reynolds, Jr., died from smoking. Patrick received the Lifetime Achievement award in 2015 from President Obama for his work against Big Tobacco; his bio is at Tobaccofree.org/bio/.

BeAnElf.org is an invaluable resource for first-time volunteers and helps parents and kids seeking extra gifts for the holidays write effective letters to Santa.

Sample tips:


  • BeAnElf.org suggests smart gifts, like backpacks, school supplies, new (not used) clothes, books, and a small gift for the mothers, whom the site says are sometimes feeling sad over the holidays.
  • Get the word out to low income families with kids, and let them know they can write to Santa’s volunteers for extra gifts. Put up flyers to spread the word. Post them in local churches, on community bulletin boards, in markets in low-income neighborhoods, in orphanages, youth detention homes, Child Protective Services offices, a local foster care office, and even prisons. Always talk to staff first to tell them about the flyer, and ask permission to post it up. Write this at the top, so no one pulls the flyer down: Take a photo of this flyer as a reminder. Here’s how to get extra gifts for your kids from Santa’s volunteer elves!    
  • Volunteers should pay attention to the letters from families and parents of children too little to write. They often list their children’s clothing and shoe sizes, and that’s a sign they truly need help for the holidays.
  • Organize a team and share the cost and the fun. Give a holiday party at which friends, co-workers and neighbors are invited to bring gifts for kids and wrap them over Christmas cheer.
  • Be An Elf has just published a new Plan for Companies for employees who are interested in volunteering.
  • It may be possible to adopt multiple letters, and simply mail gift cards from Target or Costco, and let the Moms do the shopping for their families.

The US Postal Service ® has not missed a year since first offering the children’s letters in 1912. Learn more at BeAnElf.org. The new USPS website where the public may adopt letters online is USPSoperationSanta.com

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Pond Lehocky gives back with 3rd annual 25 Days of Giving


Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano will once again be spreading holiday cheer over the weeks leading up to Christmas by contributing to local and national charities selected by the firm’s clients, partners, attorneys and staff.

This will be Pond Lehocky’s third straight year presenting 25 Days of Giving. Beginning Dec. 1, the firm will be:            

  •     Volunteering in the local community
  •     Holding special holiday events for the sick and underprivileged
  •     Creating cards and care packages
  •     Donating to charities

Here are the charities and organizations the firm will be supporting this holiday season:

Day 1: Lisa’s Army, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort to courageous individuals currently undergoing cancer treatments.

Day 2: Project HOME: Women of Change, a safe haven residence for women in Philadelphia run by Project HOME, which aims to help adults, children and families break the cycle of homelessness.

Day 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an international observance by the United Nations to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development. To celebrate this international day, the firm will be supporting Disability Pride Philadelphia.

Day 4: Pennsylvania SPCA, a 100-percent donor funded animal rescue center with multiple locations throughout the state.

Day 5: Beverly’s Birthdays, an organization that provides birthday cheer to homeless children and families in need.

Day 6: Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, which provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults in Pennsylvania with intellectual disabilities.

Day 7: ChildPromise, an organization which supports housing and educational services for foster children.

Day 8: Special Olympics of New Jersey, which provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults in New Jersey with intellectual disabilities.

Day 9: Alzheimer’s Association, a national organization supporting research, care, and advocacy for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Day 10: WePAC, the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children, promotes childhood literacy by engaging volunteers to reopen and staff libraries and promote academic mentoring.

Day 11: Families Forward Philadelphia, the city’s largest emergency shelter for families and travelers providing advice, guidance, protection, and shelter since 1915.

Day 12: Rock Ministries of Philadelphia, a boxing and mentorship program in Kensington, Philadelphia, serving over 5,000 kids through sports, arts, music, mentoring and Bible studies, and providing food to the needy in the community.

Day 13: Cards for Hospitalized Kids, a national organization that collects handmade cards from across the globe to distribute to hospitalized kids in need all year long, and Operation Gratitude, a national organization supporting U.S. Military and First Responder communities by sending care packages and letters to deployed soldiers and to their children at home.

Day 14: Lupus Foundation of America, the only national organization devoted to solving the mystery of lupus.

Day 15: Team Foster, founded by Pond Lehocky Associate Nick Liermann, raises money to partner service dogs with veterans suffering from combat-related disabilities including PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

Day 16: Laurel House, a comprehensive agency dedicated to ending domestic violence and empowering those impacted.

Day 17: Orthopedics at Nemours, one of the largest and most widely respected pediatric orthopedics practices in the United States.

Day 18: Back on My Feet, an organization that uses running to combat homelessness.

Day 19: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world’s largest organization that supports research and advocacy for blood cancer treatment.

Day 20: American Red Cross, which prevents and alleviates human suffering by providing relief and support to those in crisis and helping communities prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Day 21: ADL, a leading anti-hate organization dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry and securing justice and fair treatment for all.

Day 22: William Way LGBT Community Center, which encourages, supports and advocates for the well-being and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities in the Greater Philadelphia region through service, recreational, educational and cultural programming.

Day 23: 43 Oak Foundation, which is dedicated to helping minority and underprivileged athletes learn and develop through the sport of ice hockey.

Day 24: TRIO, a nonprofit group committed to improving the life of transplant candidates, recipients, their families and the families of organ and tissue donors.

Day 25: Philly FUNDamentals, a project of the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia that allows any donor to find a school and give directly to that school’s needs identified by the principal, and Donors Choose, a national program that helps donors provide direct support to individual classrooms.

A new gift will be revealed each day. Follow along on Pond Lehocky’s website and social media accounts to see what the firm is doing and learn about important charities in need this holiday season and beyond.

Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano opened its doors in July 2010 with six attorneys and only 22 total staff members. Today, it is the largest workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law firm in the region with over 200 staff members. The firm has expanded nationwide with offices in New Jersey, New York and California. It has recently added new practice areas for workers, including employment law and long-term disability, and has a national referral network, which has helped 86,000 clients with referrals.

National Veteran Nonprofit Receives $1 Million Matching Donation Campaign for Giving Tuesday


Travis Manion Foundation Survivor Expedition to Gold Star Peak in Alaska

“The opportunity for us to receive such substantial support towards our programs will truly change lives for these families (of fallen military heroes) who have sacrificed so much.”

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. According to givingtuesday.org, last year $380 million was raised in the United States alone, and this year over $500 million is expected to be donated worldwide.

The matching donor campaign through Travis Manion Foundation will be dedicated towards programs in support of families of fallen military members. The staple program funds Service and Leadership Expeditions, which provides veterans and family members of fallen heroes the opportunity to connect, build relationships and work together on service-based trips. TMF Expeditions are more than a support group – they are an opportunity to serve with the selflessness of those we have lost. TMF Expeditions take participants across the US and around the world. Local communities receive the benefit of physical service as well as the impact of seeing participants’ acts of courage, strength and selflessness.

“From our inception, Travis Manion Foundation has given families of the fallen a platform to not only continue the life of service, but to carry on the legacy of their loved one by helping others,” said Amy Looney Heffernan, Vice President of Travis Manion Foundation. “The opportunity for us to receive such substantial support towards our programs will truly change lives for these families who have sacrificed so much.”

Those interested in supporting the cause can visit: http://www.travismanion.org/2019GivingTuesday

About Travis Manion Foundation

Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) empowers veterans, first responders and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis’ legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, “If Not Me, Then Who…” Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes lives on in the next generation.

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DOROT to Deliver #PackagesWithPurpose to Older New Yorkers this #GivingTuesday


Delivering packages to an older neighbor.

I am so glad I found DOROT. My life is about to change and I look forward to positively impacting the life of another. I am honored to be a friend to our nations’ elders. – DOROT volunteer

DOROT, a leader in the fields of aging services and volunteerism, has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media. Last year, DOROT harnessed the impact of #GivingTuesday into a successful campaign to support visiting programs for seniors in order to combat social isolation at these critical times. This year, on December 3rd, DOROT is excited to be collecting gifts for our essential seasonal Package Deliveries; DOROT is delivering Packages With Purpose.

Through many of DOROT’s signature programs, including Package Deliveries and Friendly Visiting, seniors are matched with volunteers who visit them at home. These intergenerational connections ease seniors’ loneliness and enhance their lives. In addition to companionship, volunteers bring meals to older adults on Thanksgiving and provide holiday essentials for Rosh Hashanah and Passover; they also deliver hats, gloves, and nourishment for the cold winter months. We deliver birthday cakes and warm wishes, celebrate a night of Chanukah, and have other special one-time events bringing volunteers into the homes of older New Yorkers.

Each year, more than 7,000 volunteers and 3,000 seniors are touched by all of DOROT’s programming. Countless friendships and memories are made every day thanks to the support of our community. With the funds raised on #GivingTuesday, DOROT can continue our visiting programs and create new intergenerational connections.

On December 3, supporters can make an online donation to DOROT, then encourage their social media networks to do the same, all while sharing the personal stories behind those gifts. We are grateful for a generous match by the Miriam & Arthur Diamond Charitable Trust.

About DOROT

DOROT is a social service agency dedicated to alleviating social isolation among older adults by providing services to help them live independently as valued members of the community. For more than four decades, DOROT has been an innovative leader in the fields of aging services and volunteerism.

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