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Community spirit shines as firm employees complete 25 Ways service initiative

December 31, 2012

Related PeopleEdwin I. Josephson

December 31 marked the culmination of Chuhak & Tecson’s 25th anniversary year, and with it, the culmination of “25 Ways of Giving Back”—the firm’s yearlong community service initiative reflecting its commitment to the people and communities of Chicagoland.

Throughout 2012, Chuhak & Tecson attorneys and staff teamed up to complete 25 service projects in honor of the firm’s clients, friends and strategic partners. Projects ranged from serving meals to the homeless, to shaking cans at Misericordia Candy Days, to providing estate planning documents for Chicagoland police officers, firefighters and first responders.

In the firm’s largest project, about 75 employees spent a weekday afternoon packing food at Greater Chicago Food Depository. Attorneys, secretaries and staff members were divided into two teams—one team packed 13,500 pounds of summer sausage and the other packed 5,775 pounds of pasta to be distributed to local food pantries for people in need.

“Volunteering at the Food Depository was a truly incredible experience for the firm,” said Principal Ed Josephson. “The food packing exercise enabled us to foster team-building among our employees, while simultaneously helping to make a difference in the Chicago community.”

It was fitting for Chuhak & Tecson to celebrate its Silver Anniversary with “25 Ways,” as community service has been a core value of the firm since it opened its doors in 1987. Through “25 Ways,” the firm hoped to inspire others to make 2012 a year of service as well. Friends and family members of firm employees participated in a number of service projects, and the firm also received outside support from the general public. Other local law firms even stepped up to hold their own “Jeans Days” after hearing about the firm’s first event, which benefitted Chicago Legal Clinic.

One of the hallmarks of “25 Ways” was the variety of projects firm employees could participate in. Monetarily, the firm donated and collected over $8,000 for organizations across Chicago, including Elim Christian School, Bridge Communities and My Brother’s Kitchen. Additionally, the firm collected over 1,700 teddy bears, books, food items, school supplies and pieces of clothing for organizations like Young Women’s Leadership Charter School and Volunteers of America of Illinois.

The service initiative wrapped up with two events in December. The firm held a Jeans Day, with employees donating a total of $630 to the American Red Cross to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy. In a holiday-themed activity, employees baked and donated cookies to Advocate Hospice, which helps patients with terminal illness live each day to the fullest.

“2012 has been an exciting, inspiring, rewarding year for Chuhak & Tecson,” Josephson said. “We are proud of what we have accomplished and the effort put forth by our loyal and dedicated employees.

“We look forward to continuing service to the people of Chicagoland.”