OCTLA salutes Miracles for Kids and Top Gun Trial Attorneys

Top Gun Awards ceremony and dinner November 21 at the Fairmont Hotel, Newport Beach

2015 November

Each year OCTLA selects a local charity to support at our annual Top Gun Trial Attorney of the year gala. I am honored that our tremendous Board has selected Miracles for Kids to support at our event this year. As President of OCTLA, I cannot think of a charity more deserving than one helping young children and their families as they face the incredible difficulties and heartache that come when a young child is diagnosed with a horrible illness. These young children did nothing to deserve this and it is sad to watch them suffer. To the extent our legal community can help them through this difficult time, we should all feel honored to help them and a tremendous sense of pride in doing so.

Miracles for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving children with life-threatening illnesses and the families that care for them. By operating programs that provide financial aid, basic needs and wellness to patients and their families, Miracles for Kids creates stability when families are crumbling from the financial and emotional devastation of fighting for their child’s life. Founded in 2002, Miracles for Kids operates in offices in Tustin and Santa Monica, CA. Today, Miracles for Kids has served over 1,044 families throughout Southern California through three affiliated hospitals – CHOC Children’s (CHOC), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and Mattel Children’s UCLA (Mattel Children’s).

Miracles for Kids operates six core programs that together fulfill the organization’s mission of improving the lives of critically-ill children in treatment at CHOC Children’s, CHLA and Mattel Children’s and the families and caregivers that care for them. (1) The Grant Program – provides monthly financial aid to low-income families who, as a result of their critically-ill child, struggle to fulfill basic financial obligations such as shelter, groceries, transportation, utilities and medical bills, (2) Basket of Miracles – provides healthy fresh produce, frozen, dry and canned goods, household supplies and basic necessities to the families in need, (3) Fund-a-Family – matches a donor directly with a family in dire need of additional funds creating a personal connection between the donor and the family, 4) Familycare – a health-care program offered in conjunction with Personal Care Physicians that provides uninsured family members with direct and immediate access to high-end medical, at no cost for the family, (5) Closet of Miracles – a no-cost resource of gently used clothing, shoes and household supplies for families in need, (6) Miracle Manor − an affordable housing facility that is within close proximity to CHOC Children’s, offers public transportation access, safe neighborhood and is family friendly.

Overall, Miracles for Kids’ programming is differentiated because its support is holistic, offering a myriad of programs to better meet the needs of the entire family. In order to achieve its mission, Miracles for Kids focuses on the following objectives: (1) Operate core financial and other aid programs that provide stability to low-income families and their critically-ill child; (2) Operate health and wellness programs aimed at keeping the children and their families physically, mentally and emotionally strong; (3) Serve as an advocate and resource in the community for critically-ill children and their families. For more information on Miracles for Kids visit www.miraclesforkids.org.

Top Guns

OCTLA will be holding our Silent Auction at the TOP GUN Attorney of the Year Awards Program on November 21, 2015 at the Fairmont, Newport Beach. All proceeds of the silent and live auction will benefit Miracles for Kids. Please consider donating an item or service to the Silent Auction. Donations can include: gifts, electronics, vacation property getaways, concert and sporting event tickets, back stage meet & greets with musicians or other celebrities, sports or celebrity memorabilia, spa packages, health and beauty services, restaurant gift certificates…just to name a few! So, please take a minute to think about who you know and reach out to them for a donation and help improve the lives of children and families in need.

OCTLA would also like to say Congratulations to the 2015 Trial Lawyers of the Year!

• Gregory G. Rizio, Trial Lawyer of the Year - Personal Injury
• Jerry N. Gans, Trial Lawyer of the Year - Medical Malpractice
• Richard E. Donahoo, Trial Lawyer of the Year - Government Liability
• Jeffrey J. Greenman, Trial Lawyer of the Year - Young Gun
• Anne Andrews, Distinguished Achievement Award

These attorneys have demonstrated exceptional trial skills, commitment to their clients and dedication to the principles of legal ethics and preserving access to the civil justice system.