Remembering September 11

May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance
– National September 11 Memorial and Museum, Mission Statement

On September 11, 2001 our nation suffered one its most devastating attacks. Ordinary people going about the routine of their lives fell victim to this horror. And so many sacrificed to help: ordinary citizens performing extraordinary acts. Now, ten years later, a national monument rises to remember the victims of this tragedy — those lost in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Like all Americans, we at Galfand Berger are determined to remember this moment….and honor those memories. Two years ago, instead of sending holiday cards and gifts to our clients, friends and colleagues, our firm started a new tradition of designating a contribution in your honor. This year, the choice was obvious. Our firm has proudly contributed to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. We do so, of course, to honor the victims and heroes of that day but also in appreciation of you.

This donation is simply one way our firm, and its staff, choose to continue Galfand Berger’s commitment to community; but it is not the only way. In 2011, our firm supported groups like:

• Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD): LCD provides free high-quality legal services to low-income people with physical disabilities and to the deaf and hard of hearing.
• Support Center for Child Advocates: The Support Center for Child Advocates is the country’s oldest and largest pro bono legal and social services agency for children. The Center’s mission is to advocate for abused and neglected children in Philadelphia, with the goal of securing a permanent, nurturing environment for every child.
• The Homeless Advocacy Project: HAP exists to meet the legal and advocacy needs of homeless individuals and families in Philadelphia. With a legal staff of six and a corps of 300 volunteer lawyers, paralegals, and law students, HAP engages in direct outreach to homeless individuals in need of legal services.
• Philly VIP: VIP promotes equal justice for the poor by providing civil legal services not otherwise available, collaborating with other legal services organizations and promoting a culture of volunteerism by educating and exposing attorneys and law students to issues of poverty.
• Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc.: The mission of Kids’ Chance is to provide financial support for college and vocational education — through scholarship grants — to children of Pennsylvania workers who have been killed or seriously injured in a work-related accident.
• The Martha J. Hampton Award: This award is named after the former partner of Galfand Berger LLP who displayed an exemplary commitment to protecting the rights of injured workers. It is presented each year to the attorney or judge who best exemplifies Ms. Hampton’s dedication, professionalism and good will. A donation, in the recipient’s name, is made each year to Kids’ Chance.
• Peggy Browning Fund: Established in memory of Margaret A. Browning, a prominent labor attorney and member of the National Labor Relations Board under President Clinton, the Fund’s mission is to provide law students with diverse, challenging work and educational experiences in the area of workers’ rights. Such unique and positive opportunities will both increase students’ understanding of workers’ needs as well as promote their entry into the practice of public interest labor law.
• The Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health – or PhilaPosh — is made up of unions, health and legal professionals working together since 1975 for a safe and protected workplace as well as for the rights of injured workers.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: Galfand Berger proudly supports visionaries and leaders who embrace the cause of workers’ rights, equality and civil justice. One such leader was Martin Luther King, Jr., who was, in 2011, honored in a Memorial Dedication in Washington D.C. Dr. King, best known as a key leader in the Civil Rights movement, was also a fierce advocate for the labor movement.

In addition, Galfand Berger continued to support the important work of labor groups throughout Pennsylvania. This support is central to our core firm principals of defending workers’ rights…as it has been since our founding in 1947.

And, year after year — all year long — the employees at our firm embrace the spirit of giving. Our staff and attorneys gather food for the area’s hungry, offer legal services to the disabled, work for labor organizations, volunteer in homeless shelters, and give time, money and passion to many worthwhile non-profit organizations.

Remembering the spirit of this season, and recognizing the hope that is always tomorrow, our Galfand Berger family extends to you and your family our warm wishes for a joyous celebration and a prosperous New Year. Happy Holidays!