Members of the Justices Ray L. Brock Jr.-Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court raised $10,650 during an annual auction in May and then donated the money to The Orange Grove Center.
Orange Grove is a private nonprofit organization that serves adults and children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A group of Chattanooga parents and community leaders who were seeking educational services for children with disabilities founded the center in 1953.
Since its inception, Orange Grove has been at the forefront nationally in pioneering services for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, says local Inn of Court president David Higney of Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison, including recently developing specialized programs for recognizing and caring for those individuals with age-related dementia.
Orange Grove offers school-age programs, residential programs, job training and employment.
“The money the Inn of Court raised is particularly welcome this year as we work through the challenges COVID-19 presents and all the ways it impacts how we provide services,” says Orange Grove’s director of development, Heidi Hoffecker.
“As we work through this pandemic and all the obstacles and opportunities it presents to our community, the support of my fellow lawyers and colleagues, several of whom serve on our board, is especially welcome.
“The true measure of this gift from the Inn of Court is not in the dollar amount, but the Inn members’ willingness to provide support and serve as ambassadors who recognize and celebrate the qualities of diversity and inclusion for all 1,000 individuals served by Orange Grove.”
“Every year, the judges and attorneys who represent our Inn’s membership humble me as each demonstrates his or her collegiality, kindness and generosity in raising thousands of dollars during a one-night dinner event in order to support our local charitable institutions, such as Orange Grove, which make Chattanooga such an incredible community,” Higney says.
The purpose of each American Inn of Court is to improve the skills, professionalism, ethics and civility of both the bench and bar. Membership is by invitation only. The Chattanooga chapter is composed of over 100 local judges and lawyers.
Contact Higney at 423 756-8400, ext. 230 or dhigney@gkhpc.com to learn more.
Source: Justices Ray L. Brock Jr.-Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court