Hurricane Katrina Volunteers

Like millions of Americans who were touched, moved and troubled by the images of hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast states, the people of The Lakin Law Firm joined together to lend a helping hand in any way they could.

When refugees from New Orleans were evacuated to the nearby Alton Mental Health Center, The Lakin Law Firm got in touch with the local FEMA director to find out how they could help. "The first day I went out there, I asked, what do you need?" said veteran support staff member Sue Brown. "The FEMA director grabbed me and asked if I could use a computer. There were only two FEMA staff people at the facility trying to help dozens of refugees with assistance applications. I called the office and the Law Firm immediately sent down a team of support staff to lend a hand."

Lakin Law Firm team members Carlita Tolbert, Jeannie Baker, Andrea Goatley and Paula Steckel dug in and helped expedite the processing of applications. Brown, a Madison County Board member who is active in numerous community organizations, said, "When we finished the applications, we started helping evacuees search for their families, That was the most rewarding thing we did."

The Lakin Law Firm Team performed Internet searches of FEMA databases and set up e-mail accounts for families. Brown said, "It was really brought home to us then how long these evacuees had been separated from their families."

Brown said that the evacuees included 10 very bored kids who had not yet started attending local schools. The Law Firm purchased a television, a Playstation 2 game console and games to help keep them entertained.

Kyra St. Peters, sister of President Brad Lakin, said the staff wanted to do something to provide a little entertainment and a little stress relief for the evacuees.

Kyra hosted and organized an outing at a Cardinals game for 13 of the evacuees, most of whom had never been to a major league baseball game. The Law Firm donated a round-trip on a motor coach. Fred Weber Construction donated Cardinal caps for attendees and the Cardinals organization donated free tickets.

Like so many other workplaces, The Lakin Law Firm pitched in together to raise money to aid flood victims through the American Red Cross. The Firm turned to its reliable office fundraiser, Jean Sheley. "I was put in charge because I have a reputation for bugging people to death. But, looking at the newscasts of the devastation and all the people without a home and just the clothes on their backs, it wasn't hard to raise money. After all, we raise money year-round for causes in our area like the annual Thanksgiving food drive and Christmas toys and food for area families."

Sheley was able to raise over $1500 mostly from support staff by passing the hat. A number of the attorneys contributed additionally to a fund drive put together by the Madison County Bar Association.

The flood victims in New Orleans weren't the only beneficiaries of the Firm's generosity. Attorney Gail Gaus Renshaw serves on the Women's Caucus of the American Trial Lawyer Association with a fellow attorney from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. "My colleague was organizing an informal collection effort for items families in her area needed. E-mail has become a great way to connect people. She would send out requests by e-mail and I would just walk around the office trying to meet her needs. Law firms all around the country participated."

Lakin Law Firm team members donated such things as bedding items, towels and personal products. Renshaw said, "Now, we are working together to help fellow law firms in Mississippi get back on their feet with office supplies and other assistance."

Managing partner Brad Lakin said, "The people who work here are like Americans all over our nation. We see families in need and we feel compelled to help. We did our small part, but, when you multiply those small acts by the millions of concerned people who also took small acts, a powerful wave of good will has been generated to support the people of the Gulf Coast."