Veterans Legal Services 27th Annual Gala
Veterans Legal Services, the primary provider of free legal services to low-income military veterans in the Greater Boston area, announces its 27th Annual Gala set for Thursday, November 1, 2018, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Harvard Club of Boston Back Bay Clubhouse, 374 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
The event will raise awareness and funding for Veterans Legal Services and celebrate the results that Veterans Legal Services has achieved for Greater Boston’s veterans. Veterans Legal Services has been growing in recent years in response to the increased demand for services, expanding from a two-person organization in 2010 to an eight-person organization in 2018. The organization now serves an even greater number of veterans by utilizing its impressive panel of approximately 200 pro bono attorneys.
Organizational growth has been made possible by many generous donors, including the following major supporters: Albert R. Broccoli and Dana Broccoli Foundation, Cummings Foundation, Highland Street Foundation, the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Robert K. Kraft, the Colonel Ruby W. and Lavon P. Linn Foundation, the Pagliuca Family Foundation, the Shipley Foundation, the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, the Social Innovation Forum, and two additional significant anonymous private family foundations.
This year’s gala will feature a silent auction, complimentary hors-d’oeuvres and beverages, as well as live entertainment. Wardrobe is black-tie optional and service uniforms from members of the military are encouraged.
Veterans Legal Services promotes financial security, self-sufficiency and stability for veterans in Massachusetts through accessible and comprehensive legal services. VLS services are unique and provided on-site at homeless shelters and service centers, enabling the organization to reach a large number of veterans who would otherwise go without the legal help they need. Veterans Legal Services provides veterans with the best opportunity to succeed thanks to its strong partnerships with courts, shelters, and supportive service providers, making legal services easily accessible for all veterans.
Veterans Legal Services is proud to announce it will honor Jim Koch, Brewer and Founder of Samuel Adams, with the Distinguished Service Award at its 27th Annual Gala. The award is presented annually to an individual in recognition of his or her extraordinary, impactful community contributions. Past recipients include Sam Kennedy, President of the Boston Red Sox; Steve Pagliuca, Co-Owner of the Boston Celtics and Managing Director at Bain Capital; Michael B. Keating of Foley Hoag, LLP and former Chair of the Board of The Boston Foundation; and former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger.
Veterans Legal Services will also honor brand experience agency, Cramer, with its Corporate Champion Award. Cramer offers services in experience design, live production, audience engagement, and experiential content, video, and strategic marketing services. Cramer’s 150-person team delivers one of a kind meetings and events, activations, community and advocacy programs, and marketing campaigns. Cramer has generously donated thousands of dollars of in-kind services to help Veterans Legal Services share its story with supporters and the public, making it a natural choice as this year’s Corporate Champion. Last year, VLS recognized long-time supporter, Eastern Bank.
“Veterans Legal Services continues to grow by leaps and bounds across all fronts,” said Sarah Roxburgh, Co-Executive Director & Chief of Operations at Veterans Legal Services. “The number of Boston-area law firms that lend their time and talent to us has increased, and additional foundations and businesses have come on board to give us more support and resources. Our annual gala is the one time each year we get to acknowledge everything they do for VLS, while also reinforcing the ongoing need for funding to support veterans in our state who need our continued assistance but may not have the financial means to handle legal situations on their own.”