Philadelphia VIP Hosts 30th Anniversary Gala & Honors Former Governor Edward G. Rendell

Philadelphia's Hub of Pro Bono Legal Services Raises More Than $340,000 to Provide Legal Counsel to Low-Income Philadelphians. End Quote

Philadelphia, PA-NJ (1888PressRelease) April 08, 2011 - Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono legal services for low-income clients in Philadelphia, hosted its 30th Anniversary Gala on March 19, 2011 at the Westin Philadelphia. More than 460 friends and supporters attended the sold out event and helped raise more than $340,000 for the nonprofit's mission of providing free legal assistance to clients with critical legal needs. Also, the gala honored the efforts of its dedicated volunteers and friends who have supported VIP throughout the years.

Former Governor Edward G. Rendell was honored with the organization's Pinnacle Award for his outstanding commitment to legal services for those in need. During his keynote address, Gov. Rendell discussed his experience as a volunteer attorney with Philadelphia VIP and stressed the importance of pro bono service, as well as the rising need for pro bono legal assistance in Philadelphia. He gave a call to action to all attorneys and finished by pledging to take on another pro bono case in support of VIP.

The event also recognized several founders and champions of VIP who have humbly served throughout the years to advance VIP's mission. The award recipients included: Kenneth Shear, executive director of the Philadelphia Bar Association; Eve Biskind Klothen, the first executive director of VIP; Francis P. Devine, III, former chancellor and the first board president of VIP; Pam Moody, the first VIP staff member; and Jay Meyers, a VIP anniversary volunteer who was recognized for his outstanding service as a volunteer attorney.

Sara Woods, Executive Director of Philadelphia VIP, ended the night by revealing the "30 for 30" Pledge as a challenge to all attorneys and law students to perform 30 hours of pro bono service during 2011. For more information, visit https://phillyvip.org/content/30-30-pledge. In addition, Woods announced that a generous donor provided VIP with a $100,000 gift; part of the gift is a challenge to raise $75,000, which the donor will match dollar for dollar up to $75,000. All the money raised through the Anniversary Challenge will be placed in a special 30th Anniversary Fund for long-term projects - to ensure that VIP can assist those most in need within the community for another 30 years. All contributors to the challenge will become part of VIP's 30th Anniversary Giving Circle. To join the Giving Circle, visit http://phillyvip.org/content/30th-anniversary.

Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono in Philadelphia, was founded in 1981 by the Philadelphia Bar Association and Community Legal Services to meet the legal needs of low-income Philadelphians by recruiting and training attorneys to provide pro bono legal services. Today, VIP's diverse volunteers serve more than 3,000 clients annually with legal issues that affect basic human needs. Philadelphia LawWorks, a project of Philadelphia VIP, is a pro bono referral program that serves nonprofits, small businesses and homeowners.

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