A major image in the logos of both Los Angeles and Orange County Trial Lawyers’ Charities is a heart. LATLC has affectionately named it “Lovey” and we even have stuffed “Lovey” toys as a popular gift for children at our events.
As we are celebrating Valentine’s Day this month, it seems the perfect time to talk about the heart of Trial Lawyers’ Charities.
The goal of both of our organizations is to make a difference in our communities through financial grants and volunteer activities with local non-profit organizations. We build low-income housing, plant edible gardens, serve meals to those who are food insecure, host holiday events, and so much more.
Just as Helen Keller wrote, these activities “must be felt with the heart.” Time after time, volunteers will tell us that they get so much more out of the few hours they spend with our partner charities than they give.
I will remember the first time I attended one of our “Great Tryke Giveaway” events – an event that has since become my favorite service project. Not long after we had given a custom tricycle to a little boy, his mom approached a group of us in tears, thanking us for what we had done and explaining that her little boy can now ride alongside his brother – which is something she never thought he would be able to do. She noted she could already see the joy and the confidence it instilled in him, which not only warmed my heart but brought tears to my eyes. It was such an impactful moment – one that I will remember forever.
— Lauren Wood
Volunteering with our organizations is the heart of OCTLC and LATLC. Every month, there are opportunities in either Los Angeles or Orange County that you can sign up for.
OCTLC has many events planned this year, including another home build with Habitat for Humanity, a clothing drive for Micah’s Way, backpack and hygiene kit distribution with Operation Helping Hands (OHH), a beach cleanup with Coastkeepers, and running the water station again for the Triumph Foundation Superheroes 5k.
In the next few months alone, LATLC will host a Valentine Party with seniors at the LA LGBT Center, celebrate Opening Day with Buddy Ball (baseball for children with special needs), and put together a women’s empowerment event with Clare|Matrix.
And of course, you can join both of our groups this spring at the next Great Tryke Giveaway in Long Beach.
February isn’t just a special month because of Valentine’s Day – there is an extra day this month. Please take a moment and use leap day (February 29) or any other day to sign up for one of OCTLC or LATLC’s volunteer projects.
You will feel it in your heart and, in the process, touch the heart of someone in your community.
