I am proud to be a board member of the Santa Clarita Valley Bar Association, which now has well over 100 local attorney members. Our Bar Association members have been very hard at work these past few months.
In August, the Bar Association held an evening fundraiser at the Canyon Theatre Guild, and raised $6,000. The proceeds will be used to create a much-needed children’s waiting room at the San Fernando courthouse, which services Santa Clarita Valley families for domestic issues and other matters.
In October, the Association held its 3rd annual Law Appreciation Day at the Valencia Hyatt. This function honored our hometown heroes and their significant contributions to the community. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Mayor Marsha McLean began the festivities. Local heroes were honored, including paramedics Adam Clint and Brett Davis, who saved the life of a 17-month-old child in a near drowning accident. Deputy District Attorney Richard Nichol, who tirelessly prosecutes criminals in our community, was honored for his service to our city. Officer William J. Ward was honored for his outstanding service with the California Highway patrol. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Nichol was honored for his heroic rescue of 21 firefighters at Pyramid Lake who were battling last year’s Day Fire.
During Law Appreciation Day, the Bar Association also honored two outstanding local high school students. Amber Gaines, from Valencia High School, and Jose Garcia, from Hart High School are amazing examples of community heroes and provide outstanding role models for our young citizens. Amber and Jose’s long list of community involvement is both astonishing and inspirational. Amber has been significantly involved in LETMESAIL, which is a non-profit local organization for disabled individuals. Jose‘s efforts with “Change of Hart” is also especially noteworthy. “Change of Hart” educates Hart High school students and the public about diversity issues, and celebrates cultural differences. Both students accepted a $500 donation to these individual organizations from the Bar Association.
Of course, the Bar Association must recognize its own local hero, Bar Association president Caryn Sanders, who was named “Lawyer of the Year” for her commitment and dedication to the Bar Association and community.
I have met some remarkable individuals while serving on the board. Lawyer jokes would be a thing of the past if our community really knew the effort and dedication of our local bar. These fine attorneys work side by side with our community leaders, law enforcement, and the public, to keep our community safe, and our rights protected. If you would like to learn more about the Bar Association, please visit the website at www.scvbar.org .
For more information, please call Jane M. McNamara at 661-287-3260.