Holland & Knight’s LA office awards $20K to community organizations

The Los Angeles office of Holland & Knight LLP distributed four grants of $5,000 each to community organizations, following the culmination of its annual Auction for a Cause event.

“We are extremely proud of our efforts,” said Vivian Thoreen, executive partner of the Los Angeles office, in a press release. “Even more, we recognize the importance of giving back and participating within our local communities.”

In April, the office held a day-long fundraiser with both a silent and live auction, where items were donated and bid on by the firm’s lawyers and staff. Auction lots included rounds of golf at Wilshire Country Club, a weekend stay at a beach house in Oregon, tickets to a U2 concert and gift certificates. A total of $25,000 was raised.

There were 11 different charitable organizations nominated to receive a portion of the raised funds, and after an office-wide vote, the four beneficiaries selected were Constitutional Rights Foundation; Dolores Mission Church; Healing, Hope & Love; and St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church. Representatives from each organization received their checks after a presentation during an office reception.

The remainder of the raised funds will be used to fund grant requests the firm’s public and charitable services committee receives throughout the year.

Dolores Mission Church is a Jesuit parish that serves the Boyle Heights neighborhood and operates an elementary school. St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church, based in Hesperia, operates programs to provide food, clothing and other essential items to the homeless and those in need. Healing, Hope & Love, a nonprofit based in Beverly Hills, helps children who have lost a parent in the military by sending care packages that include school supplies and handwritten inspirational messages. Constitutional Rights Foundation, based in LA’s Koreatown neighborhood, offers leadership training and professional internships for high school students who aim to be the first generation in their families to attend college.

“Auction for a Cause is an event where the entire office is able to come together and have a lot of fun, but most importantly, we are able to support these wonderful organizations that are making a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work,” said Daniel Dow, associate and chairman of the 2018 Auction for a Cause Committee.