Chuhak & Tecson president Andy Tecson has been selected as a 2012 Seeds of Hope Award recipient.

The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves to serving others through health, hope and healing. It is distributed by Wheat Ridge Ministries, a not-for-profit organization that helps fund health and human care initiatives. Tecson, an accomplished jazz musician, will receive the award at a benefit dinner on March 3.

“The Seeds of Hope Award is presented each year to individuals who are models of Christian service,” said Dr. Richard Herman, president of Wheat Ridge Ministries. “Andy has used his gifts and talents in so many ways to God’s glory; using his legal skills to assist people in need and his musical ability to praise and worship God.”

Community service is an integral part of life for Tecson, who concentrates his legal practice in healthcare and corporate work. Tecson plays tenor and soprano sax with the band ChurchJazz, and also composes most of the group’s music. ChurchJazz regularly performs at churches throughout the nation—often as part of a fundraising initiative for various foundations and not-for-profit organizations. Tecson also has served as a member of the board of directors of 10 not-for-profit charitable organizations.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as a Seeds of Hope award recipient,” Tecson said. “The award serves as a reminder of the health, hope and healing we can bring to others by dedicating ourselves to serving in Christ’s name.”

The Seeds of Hope Award has been given to 115 individuals since its creation in 1994. All proceeds from this year’s benefit dinner will go to the Joshua Grant Program, which provides funding to Lutheran-affiliated congregations across Chicagoland. For more information, please visit wheatridge.org.

Community service has always been a hallmark of Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., and this year the firm is celebrating its Silver Anniversary—by giving back to the community. In tribute to its clients and friends, the firm has kicked off a year-long service initiative that reflects its commitment to the people and communities of Chicagoland.

“We are celebrating our 25^th anniversary thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees over the last quarter century, and the support we have received from the entire Chicago community,” said Andy Tecson, president and a founding member of Chuhak & Tecson. “It’s an honor that we have been able to serve our clients’ needs for 25 years, and we look forward to the next 25.”

Community service has been a core value of Chuhak & Tecson since it opened its doors in 1987 with 11 attorneys, their legal assistants, and a goal of providing exceptional legal services and responsible community leadership. The firm has grown 600 percent since then and now employs 65 attorneys and 75 staff members, including a number of the founding members.

Chuhak & Tecson employees volunteer for or contribute to not-for-profit organizations on a regular basis, and community service serves as a central component of the firm’s 25^th anniversary celebration. Through Chuhak & Tecson’s yearlong service initiative, titled “25 Ways to Give Back,” firm employees will participate in 25 service projects assisting those in need. Project ideas were submitted and selected by Chuhak & Tecson employees, with a goal of completing an average of two projects per month.

The firm selected a diverse range of community service activities designed to enable all employees to contribute throughout the year. Projects include everything from serving meals to the homeless, to sponsoring clothing drives, to volunteering at a special needs school. More than 100 employees are expected to participate in the firm’s largest service project—packing food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on February 22.

“We’re excited to roll up our sleeves and get involved in so many unique community service activities,” said principal Adam Moreland, who is a member of the firm’s 25^th anniversary committee. “Thanks to the enthusiasm of the entire Chuhak & Tecson family, we’ll be able to reach a number of different groups in need of support—from local veterans to food pantries.”

Throughout 2012 Chuhak & Tecson will post regular updates about its community service projects on chuhak.com. Tecson encourages the community at large to join the firm in making 2012 a year of service.

“As we fulfill our commitments to these 25 service projects, we hope that others will be inspired to do the same,” Tecson said. “Working together, we can truly make a difference in the lives of those in need.”

Women who have served admirably in the defense of the United States sometimes stumble into combat of a different kind in adjusting to life after the military. Many find themselves without a roof over their heads or the hope of ever having one again.

It is to these heroes that Volunteers of America of Illinois reaches out, providing avenues to stability and self-sufficiency. Women Helping Women, an after-hours networking group integrating business development with philanthropy, will salute the work of VOA at a Veterans Day Mix-and-Mingle on Thursday, Nov. 10, at Lloyd’s Chicago.

WHW Mix-and-Mingles are biannual wine and hors d’oeuvres gatherings hosted by the women attorneys at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.—and the upcoming function, which also will feature a special Veterans Day cocktail, is a red-white-and-blue tribute to the women who have nobly served. Mix-and-Mingles offer women entrepreneurs, decision makers and potential strategic partners the opportunity to streamline their schedules by networking, developing business and working for charity, all at the same event.

Although each mixer benefits a different nonprofit organization, service projects that target women are always the focus. For the Nov. 10 event, attendees are asked to stock VOA’s Dress for Success Closet by donating items to help women veterans dress for job interviews.

Eileen Sethna, a Chuhak & Tecson principal who will give opening remarks at the event, said she is thrilled that WHW is partnering with Volunteers of America, a national organization with outreaches to the most vulnerable sectors of society.

“Their mission is exemplary,” Sethna said. “Their commitment is to do everything they can to provide hope, healing and support to people in need. They are determined not only to make a difference, but to also be a part of the solution, which I think complements and models our firm’s practices.”

Programs to assist veterans in crisis represent just one arm of VOA’s Illinois affiliate, said Michelle Comer, vice president of external relations for the local office. Other priorities include foster care for children and housing for low-income seniors.

VOA of Illinois helps veterans with job readiness classes, life skills training, peer support, and housing and employment referrals. Financial assistance is available for utility bills and other basics to help keep veteran families in their homes, Comer said.

“This is especially important to our female veterans,” she said. “They’re four times more likely to be homeless than non-veteran females, and usually they have their children with them. All of the services that we’re providing really do make a difference.”

Sethna said she finds it disheartening to know that on any given night in Chicago, 1,000 veterans are homeless and that 90 percent of homeless veterans were honorably discharged from the service. Nationwide, about five percent of that population will be women.

“Those numbers are staggering,” Sethna said. “We support the mission of VOA to help our female veterans receive the support they both need and deserve in their return to the workforce with job training and resources. Our event is a small, but we hope significant, effort to assist VOA in its mission. We are inviting our attendees to donate new or gently worn business attire, jewelry, shoes and other accessories to help outfit our women veterans for the workplace.”

Gift cards from department stores, Target and Walmart also are welcome, along with merchandise or gift cards from stores such as Bath & Body Works. 

“We have a counselor who works with the female veterans, and she said a lot of times they just want to feel pretty again,” Comer said. “That’s why we’re asking for Bath & Body Works cards.”

The mixer will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lloyd’s Chicago, 1 S. Wacker Dr. If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact Katie Walsh at (312) 201-3447 or kwalsh@chuhak.com.

In a time when the sacrifices of military personnel are often forgotten or underappreciated, Veterans Day offers the opportunity for a grateful nation to remember.

“These,” said Comer, “are the people behind the holiday.”

Chuhak & Tecson employees teamed up recently to fight malaria across the globe.

The firm held a Jeans Day on Friday, September 23 to benefit the Clarke Cares Net for Net Project. On Jeans Days, employees who donate to the selected charity partner are allowed to wear jeans to work.

Collectively, Chuhak attorneys and staff donated more than $700 to the Net for Net Project. These funds will buy 280 malaria nets to protect families in Nigeria.

“I’m extremely grateful for the support Chuhak employees have shown toward the Net for Net Project,” said firm president Andy Tecson, who has been fundraising for the initiative since July. “It’s fantastic that Chuhak & Tecson can make a difference in so many ways to help people throughout the world.”

A number of Chuhak employees also attended a golf outing and banquet September 22 that benefitted the Net for Net Project. Clarke Cares is working to raise enough money to send 50,000 malaria nets to Nigeria.

Malaria, which is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes, primarily affects people living in tropical climates. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are between 300 and 500 million malaria cases every year, with more than a million deaths resulting from the disease. Malaria nets, which also protect against lymphatic filariasis (also known as elephantiasis), create a protective barrier at night, enabling people to sleep without the risk of becoming infected.

For more information or to donate to the fight against malaria, visit Clarke Cares Foundation at http://clarkecares.org.

Attorneys and staff at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. are supporting ongoing efforts in the global fight against malaria.

Through its recently launched Net for Net Project, Chicago-based Clarke Cares Foundation is raising money to send 50,000 malaria nets to Nigeria. The organization is holding a number of fundraising events for the initiative, including a golf outing and banquet on Thursday, September 22 at Oak Brook Hills Marriot Resort.

Attorney Kimberly Boike is among the Chuhak employees attending the event.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our firm to support a local organization in malaria prevention efforts,” Boike said. “Malaria is a very real threat to millions of people around the world, but we can help save lives by supporting the Clarke Cares initiative.”

Thursday’s fundraising event is open to the public. Banquet tickets cost $60, and tickets for the golf outing, lunch and banquet are $150.

The Clarke Cares program is one of the most effective national initiatives of this sort. A $10 contribution enables two nets to be sent to and distributed by the Carter Center in Africa. Additionally, Clarke will make a matching donation of up to 25,000 nets.

Malaria, which is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes, primarily affects people living in tropical climates. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are between 300 and 500 million malaria cases every year, with more than a million deaths resulting from the disease. Malaria nets create a protective barrier at night, enabling people to sleep without the risk of becoming infected.

Over the last few years, Chuhak & Tecson president Andy Tecson has lent his support to a number of malaria prevention initiatives. He is slated to perform at a Clarke Cares concert in early October. For more information about this weekend’s events or to donate to the fight against malaria, visit Clarke Cares Foundation at http://clarkecares.org.

Chuhak & Tecson employees recently braved Chicago’s heat wave to join other local law firms in raising money for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation.

A record-breaking 4,670 participants registered for the July 21 Race Judicata, a 5k run/walk benefitting CVLS. The event raised more than $280,000, which will assist the organization in its mission to provide free legal services to low-income Chicago residents.

“Participating in Race Judicata is a wonderful way to support CVLS, as well as the community at large,” said Chuhak & Tecson principal David Bloomberg. “Even though it occurred on one of the hottest days of the year, it was heartening to see the number of people who turned out for the race.”

This year marked the 18^th Race Judicata for CVLS. Founded in 1964, CVLS has provided pro bono legal services to more than 18,000 Chicagoans. The organization is comprised of nearly 3,000 volunteers who donate their time in order to assist people who otherwise would not have access to legal representation.

Matt Pollock, marketing and development coordinator for CVLS, said he was thrilled with this year’s turnout for the race.

“The turnout we had this year really proves that Chicago cares about equal access to justice,” Pollock said. “We are setting the bar even higher for next year and hope to see 5,000 registered participants in 2012.”

Andy Tecson (center), plays saxophone with Ken Jandes (left, alto sax) and Bobby Lewis (right, trumpet) to kick off Nuts About Nets, July 31 at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Chuhak & Tecson president Andrew Tecson continues to help raise awareness in the global fight against malaria.

This Sunday, Tecson, an accomplished jazz musician, will perform with his band Churchjazz at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Ia. Tecson’s performance will help kick off Nuts About Nets, St. Paul’s 2011 global initiative for malaria prevention.

St. Paul’s goal is to reach 10,000 nets between July 31 and October 2. The number of nets donated will be matched by the Clarke Cares Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to save lives and reduce suffering from mosquito-borne illnesses for people around the world.

Malaria, which is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes, primarily affects people living in tropical climates. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are between 300 and 500 million malaria cases every year, with more than a million deaths resulting from the disease.

Malaria nets create a protective barrier at night, enabling people to sleep without the risk of becoming infected. Nets collected through St. Paul’s initiative will be sent to families in Nigeria.

Tecson has previously sponsored and performed at other events dedicated to malaria prevention, and he is slated to perform at a Clarke Cares concert in early October. For more information about this weekend’s events or to donate to the fight against malaria, visit Clarke Cares Foundation at http://clarkecares.org.

Chuhak & Tecson principal David Bloomberg will conduct a workshop titled Collections, Liens and Foreclosures Thursday, July 28. The free workshop, which takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Truman College, is intended for condominium and homeowner associations and will cover topics such as delinquent assessments, vacancies, different governing documents and dealing with bank-owned units. Bloomberg will also offer an analysis of the Illinois Condominium Property Act.

Bloomberg is a member of Chuhak & Tecson’s Condominium and Common Interest Community Association group, which offers a full range of services for condominium, townhome and homeowner associations, as well as cooperatives.

This workshop is produced by Lakeside Community Development Corporation and is sponsored by 46^th Ward Alderman James Cappelman.

As August approaches, children across Chicago are gearing up for a new school year. And thanks to Volunteers of America of Illinois, hundreds of low-income students will be able to start the year with new school supplies.

VOA’s fifth annual Operation Backpack drive provides new backpacks and school supplies to at-risk, low-income children in Chicago. Employees at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. donated a dozen packs filled with supplies for students in need.

“Operation Backpack provides a great service to disadvantaged children in Chicago,” said Michelle Schadler, Chief Operating Officer at Chuhak & Tecson. “I’m proud that our employees came together to donate to such a worthy cause.”

In 2010, VOA provided each of the 325 students at Morton School of Excellence with a backpack full of school supplies. Backpacks will once again be donated to students at Morton, located in West Humboldt Park.

Attorneys and staff from Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. are teaming up to raise money for pro bono legal services.

Race Judicata, a 5K run/walk benefitting Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation, will take place Thursday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. Now in its 18^th year, the race is an opportunity for local residents to assist CVLS in its mission to provide free legal services to low-income Chicago residents.

Founded in 1964, CVLS has provided pro bono legal services to more than 18,000 Chicagoans. The organization is comprised of nearly 3,000 volunteers who donate their time in order to assist people who otherwise would not have access to legal representation.

All proceeds from Race Judicata will go toward general operating costs of CVLS. The race is one of several fundraisers sponsored by CVLS each year. For more information, visit cvls.org.