07-18-2024 |
On July 17, 2024, over 80 BrownWinick attorneys and staff participated in our firm's annual volunteer day. Groups of attorneys and staff went to five different locations across the metro to serve including the Blank Park Zoo, Animal Rescue League, Habitat for Humanity, YMCA Supporting Housing Campus, and Ronald McDonald House.
Learn more about each organization we served and what we did there.
Blank Park Zoo
The Blank Park Zoo aims to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research and recreation.
Our volunteers at the zoo spent much of their time with the Bird team, weeding and cutting down unwanted trees and vines at different bird exhibits. They also assisted in prepping the dieting of some of the animals as they prepared for supper. The volunteers were also able to meet Barnaby the zoo’s Tortoise.
Animal Rescue League
The Animal Rescue League serves people and pets from across the state of Iowa through its programs, which include pet adoption, humane education, pet behavior training, spay/neuter, animal cruelty intervention, and much more.
Here, our volunteers did a variety of different tasks, including cleaning and disinfecting various walls throughout the facility, adding new mulch to the walking trail, cleaning down cages and interacting with the animals at the facility.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity seeks to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. They are founded on the conviction that every person should have a decent, safe, and affordable place to live.
Our volunteers participated in Habitat for Humanity’s “Rock the Block” program. This program works with residents with needed repair, maintenance, weatherization, safety, accessibility, and beautification of homes. Here, our volunteers worked on adding blinds to a house, painting trim, and assisting with other maintenance needs.
YMCA Supportive Housing Campus
YMCA Supportive Housing Campus helps people experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness move into stable and secure permanent housing supplemented by supportive services. Wrap-around services help people meet their basic needs and reach their life goals.
Our volunteers received a tour of the facility and spent their time working inside, sorting donations, and stocking the pantry.
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa provides a home-away-from-home for families traveling to Des Moines to seek medical care for their children. They have two houses, one inside MercyOne Children's Hospital and one near Blank Children's Hospital, so families are only steps away from their critically ill children.
We had two groups at the Ronald McDonald house. One prepared cookies and snack mix and the other prepared a pasta meal that would later be shared with a number of people at their various locations.
All these organizations look for volunteers to help them with different tasks throughout the year. If you are interested in assisting any of these organizations, please visit their websites to learn more about how to get involved or volunteer.
BROWNWINICK'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Our attorneys and professional staff believe that through involvement and leadership in the community and with local charities and activities, we can help improve the quality of life and strengthen our communities. Our attorneys and staff donate their time and talents by serving on non-profit boards and committees, by providing pro-bono legal work, and by volunteering for numerous activities. In addition, the firm, its attorneys and professional staff provide monetary and other in-kind donations to numerous organizations.
Learn more about our BrownWinick’s community engagement here.