Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, has once again joined forces with Dixon Ticonderoga Company, maker of the iconic No. 2 pencil, to donate backpacks filled with school supplies to nearly 500 young disadvantaged students. As the second annual backpack event, the donations have benefited nearly 1,200 in-need children within the School District of Palm Beach County, Fla. The event is a reflection of Akerman's commitment to education and youth development, and its efforts to achieve greater impact for today's youth.
"It is a great honor to partner for the second year in a row with our client, Dixon Ticonderoga Company, as we continue our shared mission to advance education and youth development in underserved communities nationwide," said Mark Passler, co-chair of Akerman's Intellectual Property Practice Group. "Akerman lawyers and staff are dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged students and providing them with the tools they need to break down barriers to success."
"Communities depend on caring corporate citizens such as Akerman to keep our schools fully supplied," said Timothy M. Gomez, CEO of Dixon Ticonderoga Company. "We applaud Akerman for answering the call on this critical classroom need by helping us provide high-quality writing and art supplies for our young writers and artists."
Students at the Roosevelt Elementary School, located at 1220 15th Street, will receive the backpacks during a special celebration of education and creative expression on January 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The youngest members of the school will participate in an arts and crafts activity to express their gratitude to parents, teachers, school district leaders, and donors in attendance with creations that portray their personal goals and positive visions of school.
Akerman and Dixon Ticonderoga are committed to providing children and young adults with the educational tools they need to thrive. Last year, the corporate partners donated supply-filled backpacks to children at the West Riviera Elementary School in Palm Beach County, Fla. Akerman has carried out several other initiatives over the past year to benefit children in at-risk communities. The firm launched a firm-wide "Give Back" campaign as part of a pledge to achieve even greater impact in the areas of education and youth development. For the inaugural campaign, Akerman became the first law firm to partner nationally with CASA and its local guardian ad litem programs, promoting volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. Since the campaign's inception, Akerman lawyers and staff have contributed countless donations through pro bono legal service, volunteerism and fundraising. For their outstanding philanthropic and pro bono contributions, Akerman will be honored next week by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar with the 2015 Chief Justice's Law Firm Commendation Award, which is the highest recognition of pro bono legal service awarded in the state to a law firm.
About Akerman LLP
Akerman LLP is a leading transactions and trial law firm known for its core strengths in middle market M&A, within the financial services and real estate industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 600 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 20 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 350 (2014). Akerman also is ranked among the top 50 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2014).
About Dixon Ticonderoga Company
Dixon Ticonderoga Co. manufactures and markets a wide range of writing instruments, art materials and office supplies under the Ticonderoga, Prang, Dixon, Oriole, Das and Lyra brands. Headquartered in Heathrow, Fla., the company is a subsidiary of Milan-based Fabbrica Italiana Lapis ed Affini S.p.A. (FILA). For more information, visit www.DixonUSA.com.