Posted October 24, 20168:54 pm
The largest civil legal aid organizations in the home cities of the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians have raised a bet on the outcome of the 2016 World Series. Both organizations work to provide free civil legal services to people living in poverty in their regions, and have entered into a friendly wager on behalf of their teams, who are each hoping to break the two longest championship droughts in Major League Baseball.
From Chicago, LAF (formerly Legal Assistance Foundation), has promised a deep-dish pizza lunch to Cleveland Legal Aid’s staff if the Cubs can’t win their first World Series since 1908. Cleveland’s Legal Aid answered the challenge, offering Cleveland pierogies to the staff of LAF if the Indians lose the series.
LAF’s Executive Director, Diana C. White, explained “For the last 50 years, LAF has flown the W flag in the courtroom for people living in poverty in our community. We’re so excited to cheer on the Cubs and Chicago in the World Series!”
Cleveland Legal Aid’s Executive Director, Colleen M. Cotter, highlighted “Our attorneys hit home runs each day for our clients, so it is terrific to celebrate some sports success with LAF through this friendly bet.” Cotter adds, “The last time Cleveland won the World Series, our Legal Aid was celebrating its 43rd year of serving the community. I don’t think our attorneys back in 1948 ever imagined our Legal Aid would be celebrating its 111th year when we win our next World Series.”
For the last 50 years, LAF has provided high quality and free legal aid to the most vulnerable people living in Chicagoland. By resolving critical legal problems that trap people in poverty, LAF has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals get their lives back on track. LAF is Cook County’s largest civil legal aid organization, and ensures fairness for people living in poverty, including victims of domestic violence, consumer fraud, and unfair evictions. They make equal justice a reality in metropolitan Chicago and break the cycle of poverty. LAF relies on private donations to fulfill its mission. More information can be found at www.lafchicago.org.
Since 1905, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland has used the power of the law to ensure access to basic needs and lift people out of poverty in Northeast Ohio. Legal Aid’s 40 full time attorneys, 25 other staff and 2900 volunteers help 20,000 people a year. Legal Aid’s clients are low-income people who are confronted with a legal problem that – if left unresolved – will result in loss of housing, education, income, food, safety or family stability. The problems they face are life problems that have a legal resolution. These clients have legal rights, but, without an attorney, those rights will not be enforced. Like LAF, Cleveland Legal Aid enjoys support from private donations – learn how to give or access services at www.lasclev.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Chicago:
Anakin K. Morris
Marketing and Development Officer, LAF
amorris@lafchicago.org
312-347-8370
Cleveland:
Melanie A. Shakarian, Esq.
Director of Development & Communications, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
melanie.shakarian@lasclev.org
216-215-0074