At Simmons Hanly Conroy, a culture of giving has been prioritized by Chairman John Simmons since he started the firm in 1999. And amid the ongoing pandemic, one constant from 2021 was firm employees’ desire to give back to the communities where they live, work and serve.
Below are some of the ways that Simmons Hanly Conroy gave back in 2021.
Simmons Hanly Conroy Gives Back
Often considered a professional responsibility for attorneys and other legal professionals, pro bono work — or legal counsel provided free of charge — is vital to the function of a healthy justice system.
Two pro bono events in which Simmons Hanly Conroy participated in 2021 include:
- Road to Work: Free legal counsel was provided to residents of Madison County, IL with traffic-related misdemeanors to help decrease some of the barriers to employment faced by individuals with criminal records.
- Expungement Day: The team provided free legal counsel to help individuals in East St. Louis get their criminal records sealed and expunged.
Throughout the years, Simmons Hanly Conroy has dedicated itself to pro bono work, having developed a can-do culture that focuses on giving back to those who live in the communities we call home — and beyond.
Miles for Meso
In addition to regular pro bono work and donations made throughout the year, Simmons Hanly Conroy continues to give back through its annual Alton Miles for Meso VIRTUAL 5k Run & 3k Fun Run/Walk, which raises money for charity.
Over the past several years, all proceeds from the race have benefitted the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest independent asbestos victims’ group in the United States. A non-profit, ADAO leads efforts to ban asbestos in the United States.
In 2021, more than 1,000 people participated in the race and Miles for Meso raised $38,000 for the ADAO.
Employee-Led Efforts
Led by the SHC Foundation Employee Committee, firm employees donated and supported dozens of charities in 2021. Several giving initiatives took place during the course of the year.
SHC Foundation Thanksgiving Food Drive
In 2021, employee donations to the 15th annual SHC Foundation food drive raised $12,500 — enough funds for five local food pantries to each receive checks for $2,500.
The five food pantries were:
- The Salvation Army in Alton
- The Crisis Food Center in Alton
- Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills
- The Community Care Center in Granite City
- The Collinsville Food Pantry
Checks were delivered the week before Thanksgiving.
Adopt-a-Family
Firm employees’ generosity exceeded expectations — resulting in $14,000 in cash and gift card donations as part of the firm’s Adopt-A-Family program.
The program benefited families associated with five agencies in Madison County, Illinois. They are:
- The Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills
- The Salvation Army of Alton
- The Woman’s Oasis Center in Alton
- Madison County Child Advocacy in Wood River
- Children’s Home & Aid in Granite City
Each charitable organization received a check for $2,800.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
In addition to donating to the annual food drive and participating in the Adopt-a-Family program, firm employees also raised $4,000 for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a charitable organization dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need.
A group of Simmons Hanly Conroy employees also volunteered their time and labor in Alton to help build bunk beds.
Charities Supported by SHC Foundation This Year
In 2021, the employee committee chose several charities to support with donations. A partial, representative list includes:
- A Precious Organization for Sickle Cell
- Amare
- Beverly Farms
- Boys & Girls Club of Alton
- Caritas Family Solutions
- Good Samaritan House
- HIS KIDS
- Metro East Humane Society
- NAMI Southwestern Illinois
- Riverbend Growth Association
- And more!
