Reason for a Campaign
In Massachusetts, approximately three out of five persons who request representation from a legal services provider are turned away due to lack of resources. While there is approximately one attorney for every 363 individuals in the MWLS service area, there is only one legal services lawyer for every 3,300 low income individuals in the same geographic area. MWLS relies on state and federal funding which is often very volatile. The program has aggressively pursued and acquired alternative sources of funding to make up for this loss, but still cannot come close to meeting the needs of eligible families in the service area.
Purpose and History of the Campaign
The Campaign for Legal Services was created by members of the bar and community leaders in the service area to raise additional funds on behalf of MetroWest Legal Services. The Campaign is directed to the entire community, since everyone has a stake in guaranteeing access to the justice system. The primary focus, however, is the legal community because attorneys have a more complete understanding of the need that exists and of the importance of being represented when a legal problem arises. For every $10,000 raised, an additional 25 families can be helped. The goal of the campaign is to help fill the gap between the need and the current funding received by MWLS.
The Campaign committee was formed in October of 1999 and decided that they would start with a goal of raising $300,000 over the first 3 years of the Campaign. The Campaign reached that goal last year and now has begun its ninth year. The contributions are crucial representing approximately 15% of the total funding for MWLS. In addition to obtaining gifts from their business contacts, the committee members plan and support the annual MWLS GOLF TOURNAMENT and other fundraising events such as the The 2007 MWLS ONLINE AUCTION.
Campaign for Legal Services Committee Members
The Campaign Committee members working so hard on this fundraising endeavor are:
Co-chairs
Michael A Leon, Esq (Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP)
Robert S Molloy, Esq (Casual Male Retail Group)
Committee Members
Jack F Agnew (Manning, Selvage & Lee PR)
Lawrence E Erickson (Framingham Co-operative Bank)
Jill D Hanchett (Lexington, MA)
Christopher D Horblit, Esq (Fidelity Investments)
Bruce G Ledoux, Esq (Marlborough, MA)
Ralph T Lepore III, Esq (Holland & Knight, LLP)
George E McCarthy, Jr, Esq (Framingham, MA)
James A McLaughlin, Esq (McLaughlin, Richards, Mahaney, Biller & Woodyshek, LLP)
Lisa M Rohmer (Framingham Co-operative Bank)
Michael Thornton, Esq., (Thornton & Naumes, LLP)
William A Wise, Esq (Analog Devices)
The funds raised by this Campaign are very important. They allow MWLS to come closer to providing access to justice to all eligible clients. Your donation will be greatly appreciated.
2009 Annual Appeal
We raised $25,569! Your dedication to equal access to justice is essential to our success. Thank you for your generosity.
Major Donors
Eileen & Scott Coburn
Sheila & Will Corkhill
Dedham Institution for Savings
Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation
Jill Hanchett & Michael Leon
Tristin & Martin Mannion
Amy McElroy & Eric Ammondson
Robert Molloy & Kathy Way
St Mary's Credit Union
Michael P Thornton
Jack A VanWoerkom & Barbara L Moore
Law Firms
Beveridge & Diamond
The Law Offices of Capobianco & Capobianco
Mayer, Antonellis, Jachowicz and Galvani LLP
Romanow & Romanow
Rubin & Oriel
Individual Donors
Richard K Anderson
Valerie & R Hale Andrews
Jacquelin Apsler
Ann E Behravesh
Ann G Berwick
Mark & Liz Burnett
Alice Christopher
Martin Cohen
Alan M Cohen
Thomas J Cummings
Margaret Davitt
Ellen DiPaola
John G Dugan
Alan J Finkel
Brian M Flynn
Jennifer Fries
Lauren & Bill Gabovitch
Michael J Gibbons
John A Gifford
Gina S Gill
Susan & Steven Glovsky
Richard L Goldman
Dennis Guappone
Mary & John Handrahan
Barry S Harsip
Marguerite HV Hasbrouck
Doug A Heely
Wisla C Heneghan
H David Henken & Melissa D Mills
Walter G Hiltz
Hugo Hollerorth
Sarah Francis Holmes
Paula Jones
Michael King & Karen Smyers
Jacqueline & Paul Ladd
Arlene & Robert Lamprey
Ann McCauley
Anne K Morrill
Deborah L Nelson
Willard P Ogburn
Harriet H Onello
Alice H Peisch
William M Pezzoni
Alfred C Phillips
Stephen M Richmond
Edward & Mary Robinson
Michael MT Romanow
Mary K Ryan
Robert C Smith
Mary Anne Smyers
Margaret F Soule
Donna Southwell & David Kern
Kelly A Sullivan
Ruth W Tucker
Christopher M Tully
Treana Walker
Mark & Lauren Weiss
Ward W Weizel
Helen E Wendler
Herbert P Wilkins
Keith Wood
G Perry Wu
Virginia M Yeamans
Amanda Zuretti
