August 16, 2021
Volunteers additionally worked with high school students on resume and interview preparation.
Willkie DC Foundation recently partnered with Horton’s Kids for the 13th Annual Home Runs for Horton’s Kids event held at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.
Horton’s Kids, the current principal grantee of the Willkie DC Foundation, empowers at-risk children in grades K through 12 and prepares them for college, career and life through educational opportunities and comprehensive programs tailored to their needs. It serves approximately 500 children in the Wellington Park and Stanton Oaks communities in Southeast DC, which house some of the lowest-income families in DC, who are further challenged by one of the highest crime rates.
Home Runs for Horton’s Kids is a family-friendly night at Nationals Park that raised funds for Horton’s Kids and the children in DC’s Ward 8. The event included batting and fielding practice with National’s staff, a fast pitch competition in the bullpen, and grab-and-go stadium fare snacks and drinks. These funds will be put to immediate use by Horton’s Kids, providing health and basic needs, social-emotional development, academic and family engagement services.
“It was great to see the wonderful team at Horton’s Kids – staff and volunteers – as well as the students we’ve worked with over the years. I’m proud that Willkie is a major league sponsor of the event,” said Neesa Sood, counsel and Willkie DC Foundation Advisory Committee Member. “Willkie, through its Willkie DC Foundation, has developed a strong relationship with Horton’s Kids, not only through its financial contributions but through our hands-on volunteer experience with the organization that has really helped foster a sense of community and public service in our DC office – from tutoring, resume and interview workshops, gift drives, college examination prep courses, office tours, trivia nights and more.”
At an additional separate event, Willkie employees also recently volunteered to participate in two workshops teaching a cohort of six rising 10th grade students who are participating in a summer long career preparation program at Horton’s Kids. Willkie volunteers worked one-on-one with students over Zoom to brainstorm and draft a resume for future employment, as well as prepare them for a future employment interview process.
The Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Greater DC Community Foundation was established to provide the Firm’s Washington, DC attorneys and staff an opportunity to work together to enhance the impact of individual charitable contributions and volunteer efforts in the local community. The Foundation’s mission is to support non-profit youth programs and educational initiatives serving underprivileged youth in the Greater Washington Area. It was launched with 100 percent participation from DC partners and counsel, a firm-wide contribution, and widespread support from associates and staff. It is funded by donations from attorneys and staff members of the Washington, DC office and the firm as a whole. To date, Willkie DC Foundation has raised over $550,000 for Horton’s Kids and over $2.75 million to support organizations in the DC area that provide after-school programming to underprivileged youth.
