IMG_9272Early in our tenure here, we learned how much Bilzin Sumberg likes to give back.

Yesterday, the women of Bilzin Sumberg went to the Casa Valentina shelter as part of a United Way volunteer project. Casa Valentina is a shelter for former foster care and homeless youth. The shelter serves as a transition tool for its residents to learn to live and thrive independently. For weeks, the firm has collected cleaning supplies to donate to the shelter as housewarming gifts for new and current residents. Last night, the women of Bilzin Sumberg went to United Way to arrange baskets for the residents. We were joined by a room full of women from other firms around the city. Karyl and Salome showed Hannah, Lauren, and me the ropes packing baskets, decorating them with ribbon, and writing cards to the residents.

Two weeks ago, Bilzin Sumberg participated in Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day is a campaign dedicated to raising money and awareness for children living in poverty. Employees were invited to a photo booth filled with props—including red noses, of course—if they donate to the Red Nose Day campaign. Leading by example, all of the summer associates donated to the campaign and let loose (but not too loose—I mean, we’re still summer associates) in the photo booth.

Red Nose Day also doubled as a Denim Day. Denim Day is an event where someone chooses a charity, and if an employee donates to the cause, he or she can wear jeans on the designated day. The Denim Day charity was the Red Nose Day campaign, so we got to model our red noses in jeans. It felt strange to wear jeans to work, and some of us didn’t partake in the casual dress code (looking at you, Eric), but everyone donated and took part in the rest of the festivities.

The next Denim Day is Friday, benefitting Wings of Rescue. Wings of Rescue is a charity that flies endangered pets from high-kill shelters to no-kill shelters, and sees that they are adopted into loving homes. Unfortunately, the summer associate crew will have to miss this one, as we are participating in our own community service event at Feeding South Florida.

But I’m not worried. At this rate, I’ll get to wear jeans to work again in no time.

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Karyl Argamasilla, Dalayna T. Craigman, Salomé Bascuñan, Desiree Fernandez, Alexandra Barshel, Lauren Sabella, Hannah Lidicker and Megan D. Ferris at the Casa Valentina shelter.