Local Law Firm Helps Charities in a Different Way

Lansing, Mich. — The law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith (FSC&S) set an initial goal to raise $5,000 in the next month for relief in Haiti. But they won't be having a can drive or donation bin; instead they will just wear jeans.

Since 2007, FSC&S has held "jeans days" in their office to raise money for various charities. The most recent collections effort is called "Five Fridays for Haiti" and the office will participate by giving a minimum of $25 dollars per person to the American Red Cross and wearing jeans every Friday for five weeks. The firm, with the Executive Committee's matching contribution of $5,000, has already raised $10,030 to go to the American Red Cross towards Haitian relief.

The collections going to the American Red Cross will help with deploying personnel, relief from the ground, and much more. Bob Hartley, a former FSC&S associate and employee of the American Red Cross, stated that, "This is a massive urban disaster of unprecedented proportions, and we know this is going to be a costly long-term recovery operation.  Terrible times like these bring out the best in people, and we’re grateful for the support being given to the American Red Cross."

FSC&S has donated to many charities using their "Casual for a Cause" days. Since February 2007, they have held over 20 of these events and have donated to 14 charities so far, including Ronald McDonald House and the American Cancer Society. In 2008, more than a quarter million dollars was contributed by FSC&S to organizations and charities throughout Mich. Judy Salminen, Human Resources Director at FSC&S, said that, "In looking at the magnitude of the situation in Haiti, I concluded that a single casual day would not suffice for our response," and that, " One only has to watch the evening news to know we must do something in response to this crisis, and I'm pleased that Foster Swift and its employees have responded in their usual compassionate fashion."

Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. is a full service law firm founded in 1902.  FSC&S employs 100 attorneys and more than 100 support staff in five locations; Lansing, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids, and Marquette.  For more information about the firm, its attorneys and to access recent publications, visit www.fosterswift.com.

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