Sandberg, Phoenix & von Gontard, P.C. Community Involvement
Sandberg, Phoenix & von Gontard, P.C. recognizes a duty to support our City and region. Community involvement is not only important to the firm as a whole, but also to the individual attorneys and staff who donate their time and talents to many worthwhile legal and charitable causes. Many of our attorneys speak at legal seminars, participate in fund-raisers, and serve as board members of legal and community organizations.
The firm has a standing Charitable Efforts Committee which coordinates our efforts. The firm is an annual participant in the United Way Drive and the St. Louis Bar Association's Project Angel Tree, as well as the various "walks" for causes such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Komen Race for the Cure. Every other month, the firm sponsors a "casual" day for charity. Members are asked to donate school supplies, coats, and canned goods and make monetary donations to selected charities. Twice a year, firm members cook and serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House.
In 2006, the firm kicked off the establishment of the SPvG Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to represent the many charitable efforts of the firm. The purpose of the foundation is to support and contribute to those local, regional, and national charities selected by the firm's Charitable Efforts Committee each year.
On May 15, 2007, the SPvG Charitable Foundation was welcomed as a member of the Gateway Center for Giving (previously the Metropolitan Association for Philanthropy). The Gateway Center for Giving is the regional association of grant makers serving the St. Louis region. It was founded in 1970 by St. Louis area corporations and foundations interested in increasing the effectiveness of their charitable giving. For more information on this membership, please visit http://www.mapstl.org/.
The Charitable Efforts Committee organizes events throughout the year to raise money for the selected charities through the SPvG Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament, the SPvG bowling tournament, Thanksgiving dinner for charity, silent and oral auctions and others. For 2008, the Committee selected and proudly supports:
*Allison's Friends of Hope Foundation (Located in Edwardsville, IL)
Allison Cassens, daughter of Allen Cassens of Edwardsville, IL, was 32 years old at the time of her diagnosis of colon cancer. She lived another 16 months before she lost her battle to cancer. Allison was a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, an exceptional teacher, a mentor, a pilot, as well as an inspiration to all of those who knew her.
Visit www.allisonsfriendsofhope.org for more information.
*Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale (Carbondale, IL)
The area's newest and largest youth development program for children ages 6-18. With over 600 registered members, BGCC serves over 100 children a day after school on Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., along with extended summer programs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America are dedicated to "inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens."
Visit www.bgc-cdale.org for more information.
*The Haven of Grace (St. Louis, MO)
The Haven of Grace is a place where homeless, pregnant women, ages 16 to 24, commit to redefining their lives, ensuring a stable future for their children. Their door is always open to those in need of a new direction.
A small residential facility in the City of St. Louis, The Haven provides life skills training in a safe and caring environment. The Aftercare Program meets the ongoing needs of former residents for up to 10 years beyond their residential stay, helping assure self-sufficient and secure families.
Visit www.havenofgracestl.org for more information
*Helping a Hero
Helping A Hero is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, non-partisan organization providing support for severely injured military personnel injured in the war on terror and their families. They grant and coordinate financial, emotional, educational, mentoring, recreational and scholarship support, including new homes for qualifying service members.
Visit www.helpingahero.org for more information.
*Wyman Center (St. Louis, MO)
Wyman is a nationally recognized youth development organization that is preparing youth from disadvantaged circumstances to lead successful lives and build strong communities.
Their innovative programs are powerful and effective. Their staff is highly acclaimed and committed to preparing today's youth. Wyman’s approach is comprehensive — drawing together many influences on a young person's life and engaging them in their development. And, their results are evident by the achievements and bright future of youth in the programs and the communities in which they live.
Wyman Center, Inc., is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization sponsored by corporate, foundation and individual contributors.
Visit www.wymancenter.org for more information.
In addition to these five primary charities for 2008, the SPvG Charitable Foundation routinely holds jeans days, bake sales, and other internal events to help raise money for other charities in the area. Additional charities include, St. Louis Area Food Bank; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Bi-State Celiac Support Group; and Heat up/Cool Down St. Louis.
The SPvG Charitable Efforts Committee hopes to continue to create new and innovative ways to touch the lives of others in its local Missouri and Illinois communities as well as those across the nation and around the world. The goals of the SPvG Charitable Efforts Committee are two-fold: (1) bring together the members of the firm and the community to unite and focus their talents for charitable purposes and (2) to assist and fund local and national causes with generous contributions.
SPvG sponsored a balloon at the 2006 Great Forest Park Balloon Race for the third year in a row. This event allowed members and their families and friends to celebrate another successful year.