Standing with our communities in times of need

From support for fire victims to adaptive equipment for kids and teens, we make a difference

Abraham Lincoln once wrote: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Last year, no one could have predicted what the “future” 2025 would be like.

However, the way Orange County and Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities responded demonstrates how we create a better future for our communities, even through difficult times.

The year began with the horrific fires in Southern California. LATLC and OCTLC responded immediately. Thanks to your generous donations, both of our groups supported first responders, supplied household items and groceries to fire victims for months.  We then ended the year by replacing a $10,000 wheelchair for a teen with special needs who lost his home, school and mobility.

During the CAALA convention visitors to our booth shared their favorite children’s stories, and purchased books for CASA of Orange County, Altadena Arts Magnet, and LATLC’s Comfort & Joy Holiday Giving event.

The year continued with the uncertainty of tariffs and supply chains impacting our joint Great Tryke Giveaway. And even though the event was delayed, we still provided more than 20 new adaptive tricycles to children with special needs in November. While the kids received the final adjustments to their new “wheels,” LATLC and OCTLC volunteers assembled 1,000 toiletry kits for U.S. Vets for their outreach program. Two days after they received the kits, we got this email from their Community Director, Tess Banko, who is also a Marine veteran:

Thank you again, so much. Every Monday our group hosts an event called ‘Bunker Social.’ Over the past year it has had 8,000 visits, many from currently unsheltered Veterans staying in emergency programs. 

Today I watched as Veterans in need absolutely poured over kits you all so generously donated. It warmed my heart to see them go directly into the hands of those to whom they are absolutely appreciated and gratefully used.

Orange County

In between, OCTLC stayed on course and continued our participation in many of our favorite volunteer activities. We assisted in building another affordable home through Habitat for Humanity, participated in the annual Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC) Walk in the Park at Disneyland, all in support of children’s health and well-being, and again supported Triumph Foundation’s Handcycling Clinic in Yorba Linda. This incredible group helps children, adults, and veterans with spinal cord injury/disorder to “triumph” over obstacles they face and to inspire them to keep moving forward with their lives by pushing themselves to get better every day.

OCTLC also celebrated Mother’s Day by providing goods for women in the Lynn House Shelter and hosted a Mother’s Day Lunch for about 100 participants at the City of Irvine’s Senior Center with Age Well Senior Services and Meals on Wheels. OCTLC worked on the Joy Jars Project, creating jars of joy to provide to children battling cancer in local hospitals, donated to Grandma’s House of Hope, by donating money for much needed washers and dryers for residents trying to get back on their feet, and donated over $15,000 for numerous adaptive equipment for children through the So Cal Trykers and OC Special Spokes. Additionally, OCTLC provided monetary donations to partner charities to continue their wonderful work in the community. Finally, to close out the year, OCTLC will once again be a main sponsor of the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley’s Operation Holiday Homework where children will have the opportunity to buy toys and gifts for their family based on their effort and work in school. A beautiful way to end the year and bring smiles to children’s faces while rewarding hard work and dedication.

Los Angeles County

LATLC had a very busy year with monthly service projects like helping to distribute food through MEND (Meet Each Need With Dignity), celebrating Valentine’s Day with senior citizens at the LA LGBT Center, our annual Mother’s Day Celebration with Bresee Foundation, hosting a “Beach Party” themed BBQ at Ronald McDonald House for families whose children are going through serious medical procedures, and transported foster teens and potential forever families on an international adventure at our KidSave event.

We also partnered with CAALA’s Women in Law Committee on our annual Women’s Empowerment Day at the Clare|Matrix addiction treatment center where volunteers made vision boards and participated in a self-defense class with the residents. A highlight of the year was when, for the first time, LATLC and CAALA marched in the June West Hollywood Pride Parade.

We end 2025 with our biggest event – Comfort & Joy – where we provide groceries and household items to 500 families selected by LAPD’s Newton Division. With costs rising dramatically, we knew we had to think “outside the box” to be able to provide toys for more than 2,300 children who attend our annual event.

LATLC kicked off “Christmas in July” at the CAALA picnic, collecting more than 100 toys from attendees. For the second year, SPOT Physical Therapy and Peerali Law have led the “Toys for Joy” project. A very, very special thank you to  the more than 30 firms that collected toys at their offices, and to our wonderful affiliates who are collecting toys at their holiday parties. Because of this support we will not disappoint families attending this “Miracle on 34th Street.”

Your donation of $1,000

OCTLC makes it easy to make donations on their website and offering Honorary Board Member positions for those who are too busy to get involved in the actual board but want to show support. For as little as $1,000 Honorary Board Members get their picture and link to bio on the website while they proudly show their charitable work and support for OCTLC and their beloved Orange County community. (www.ocltc.org/donate).

LATLC also has an opportunity where you can make automatic monthly donations: JEWEL CIRCLES. We have updated the circles, so you now receive far more benefits and sponsorships than if you donated separately (Ruby for $5,000 per month, Topaz for $2,500 per month, and Amber for $1,000 monthly). We also have the G.E.M. program (Give Every Month) for only $84 per month, which makes you an immediate Bronze Member of our Honorary Board. To learn more, visit our website (https://www.latlc.org/) or contact Lissa Zanville (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).