My wife Sandy and I recently returned from a trip to Haiti. Our experiences there were truly eye-opening and I’d like to share them with you. Please take a look at this letter I wrote to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Making a Difference in Haiti
There are a lot of reasons why I'm proud to work with the employees at my law firm, but one of the biggest ones is their commitment to giving back to the community. Just a few weeks ago, the staff at our Ebensburg office helped Northern Cambria surpass its Relay for Life fundraising goal. Team Ebensburg donated theme baskets, handmade afghans, bracelets, and drinks in order to help raise money. We all appreciate their hard work and are proud to have them represent us.
Employees at all of our offices are highly active in a number of causes, through both work-sponsored programs and individual efforts. Their list of involvements is long and includes organizations like the American Heart Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Project Bundle Up, Animal Friends of Pittsburgh, Toys for Tots, and the Altoona Food Bank, just to name a few.
I truly believe that if you are in a position to give back then it's your responsibility to do so. When you volunteer, you gain an appreciation for what you have and for how big of a difference you can make in the lives of others. I'm honored to work with so many people share this belief and put it into practice so often.
Words to be Heard College Scholarships: Video From Awards Dinner
May 27, 2010
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Here's a video from a dinner we hosted last night to honor the students who won our Words to be Heard Scholarship Contest. We ask graduating seniors to submit a proposal for a program that combats underage drinking and drunk driving. Since we launched the scholarship contest four years ago, we've awarded $41,000 to 35 students in Western Pennsylvania.
I'd like to thank all of the contest winners who were at the dinner as well as those who couldn't make it. Our law firm sees the tragedy of drunk driving every day, and we know the problem can only be solved through education. You are leading the way to a possible solution and should be extremely proud of yourselves.
It was wonderful to finally meet the talented young people behind the proposals and I think everyone had a great time.
Attorney Jim Heneghan Speaks to Teens at Shaler Police Traffic Camp
May 24, 2010
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Over the weekend, Attorney Jim Heneghan, an attorney at my firm, participated in an event that I'd like to share with you.
The Shaler Police held a Traffic Camp for teens who were cited for traffic violations throughout the school year. The camp educates young drivers about safe driving, and Attorney Heneghan spoke to them about what would happen if they were to commit a traffic violation while driving their parents' car or their own car. He also told them what could happen if they hurt or kill someone because of their negligence.
Here's what Attorney Heneghan had to say about the experience:
"As I understood it, so much of what the kids normally hear is about the potential criminal implications of a car accident, which sometimes only amounts to a ticket. However, the organizers wanted the kids to understand the civil claim aspect of an accident. I think the presentation really opened the kids' eyes to the financial impact an accident could have on them and their parents as a result of their conduct. Not to mention the devastating consequences of injuring other people."
I'd like to thank Attorney Heneghan for being a part of this program. What the kids learned during his presentation could truly make a difference the next time they get on the road.
We've started to get feedback from this year's Road Radio shows, and once again we're thrilled that the program is having such an impact. I'd like to share some of the responses with you:
“This was an exceptional program that delivered an important message in a fun and attention keeping way. The combination of music and multimedia kept the students attention and allowed them to have fun while learning the facts. The feedback I receive on a daily basis shows me the message from Road Radio was not only received, but will impact their decision making in the future.”- Forest Hills Middle School Counselor
“You had the coolest assembly I have ever been to. It was really fun with lots of good music and it also got the message through that alcohol is bad. No matter where you go people will love Road Radio.”- Steel Valley student
“I can tell you, without a doubt, that Jimbo and Big Andy delivered their message and so much more. I have never seen our students more engaged, motivated, and captured by the presentation as they were during Road Radio USA. The audience of 350 were hanging on to Jim’s every word.”- Shade Jr/Sr High School Principal
For those of you who aren't familiar with Road Radio, it's a program my firm has sponsored with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for the last several years. It combines music, lights, and education to present an engaging anti-drinking and anti-dangerous behavior message to middle school students.
It means so much to everyone at our law firm to hear reactions like the ones above. We think Road Radio is an excellent show with an important message, and we're happy to hear that the audience does too.
If you're interested in bringing Road Radio to your school, please visit my firm's website to learn how.
Global Links: Bringing Medical Supplies to Those in Need
April 26, 2010
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I'd like to say thank you to our staff members who participated in our most recent community service event with Global Links. The volunteers sorted through donated medical supplies, checked expiration dates, and processed the supplies for shipment to various Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Haiti.
Global Links is a non-profit organization located in the Friendship area of Pittsburgh that works to "recover unused medical supplies, surplus equipment, and furnishings from the U.S. healthcare system for distribution to hospitals and clinics that serve the poorest segments of the population in developing countries." It's a really great organization, so if you'd like to learn how you can get involved, you should check out the Global Links website.
Thanks to Global Links for providing my firm with this opportunity and thanks again to all of my employees who took the time to help out with this worthy cause. It's an honor to work alongside people who are so dedicated to giving back.
Road Radio USA is kicking off next week and my law firm is really excited about getting a new season underway. For those of you who aren't familiar with Road Radio, it's a program that my firm has been sponsoring with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for the past several years. It's designed to discourage middle school students from underage drinking and drunk driving.
Road Radio is unlike any assembly you've seen before – every year we get feedback from students and school administrators saying it's the most effective program they've ever experienced. It combines music, video, and energetic presenters to create a multimedia experience that truly engages middle school kids.
Below is this spring's schedule. You can visit my law firm's website for more information on Road Radio.
Reynolds Jr. High 4/6/2010 1:00 pm
JS Wilson Middle School 4/7/2010 1:45 pm
Jamestown Jr. High 4/8/2010 1:45 pm
Fairview Middle School 4/9/2010 1:00 pm
Fayette County D&A Commission Event 4/15/2010 9:00 am & 1:00 pm
Fayette County D&A Commission Event 4/16/2010 8:30 am & 12:15 pm
Thank You to Our "Words to be Heard" College Scholarship Applicants
March 31, 2010
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I'd like to say thank you to everyone who submitted an essay to my law firm's "Words to be Heard" college scholarship competition. This year we received 192 submissions – more than we've ever gotten – and we've really enjoyed reading all of your ideas. It's been difficult narrowing down our choices because there are so many creative and thoughtful proposals.
For those of you who aren't familiar with "Words to be Heard," it's an annual essay contest that asks high school seniors in western Pennsylvania to tell us what they think an effective program would be for combating underage drinking and drinking and driving. Each year we're amazed by how many of our region's youth are serious about preventing these dangerous behaviors, and we're extremely proud of all of you.
We will have our winners chosen soon, so check back for updates. In the meantime, you can visit my firm's site to read last year's winning entries.
I'd like to say thank you to all of our employees who participated in the Holiday Giving Tree with Ursuline Senior Services (USS). This is the second year we've partnered with Ursuline, and we were excited to once again have the opportunity to make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.
USS is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of services, including care and money management, to seniors in our community. The Holiday Giving Tree coordinates volunteers to buy, wrap, and deliver presents to the elderly. Unfortunately, there are too many seniors who lack emotional and financial support from loved ones, and it's wonderful that Ursuline gives people a chance to make a difference.
Please take a look at Ursuline's website if you'd like more information on how to get involved.
I'm happy to announce the start of our annual "Words to be Heard" college scholarship essay contest. This is the fourth year that we've held the contest, and we're looking forward to seeing what this year's entries bring.
The contest asks high school seniors in Erie to write a proposal for a program that teaches preteens and teenagers about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving. In the past, we've gotten some really creative ideas and are always happy to see the number of high schoolers who are interested in combating dangerous behaviors.
Three grand prize scholarships of $2,500 will be given – one to a Pittsburgh-area student, one to a Central PA-area student, and one to a student in the Erie area. We will also select three second place winners in each region to receive $1,000 scholarships. In addition, three $500 scholarships will be given in the Pittsburgh and Central PA regions and one will be given in the Erie region. Entries have to be postmarked on or before March 1, 2010. Please see my firm's website for more information. We look forward to reading what you have to say!
It's amazing how big of a difference you can make in other people's lives, even if you think that your contribution is relatively small. My firm received a really nice letter from the Chairman of the 2009 Scouting for Food Drive, which is held by the Boy Scouts of America. He informed us that this year the food drive collected over 7 million units of food and household items for people in southwestern Pennsylvania. They estimate that the value of the contributions equals more than $5 million.
I'm proud to say that employees at my firm contributed 28,219 units of food to the drive. I want to say thank you to each person who contributed to this campaign, whether it was $1 or $100. Every bit made a difference and helped those who need it the most. The food drive distributed goods to over 120,000 people in our area, which is a truly amazing feat.
Hopefully Scouting for Food will be able to touch even more lives next year. I encourage everyone out there to participate in this worthy cause – we're certainly looking forward to being a part of it!
Yesterday employees from the firm spent part of the day at Animal Friends, an animal shelter located in Ohio Township, PA. Animal Friends is a really terrific organization that finds homes for thousands of animals in need each year. In fact, as of yesterday, they were up to more than 1,400 adoptions since January!
Staff members sorted, counted, and organized items that will be used at various shelter functions. They were also treated to a visit from one of the shelter's youngest furry residents and toured the beautiful facility. Thanks to everyone who participated and to Animal Friends for letting our volunteers come out for the day. It was a fun experience with a lot of talk of bringing back an office "mascot."
If you're interested in learning more about Animal Friends (or even in adopting a companion) please check out their website.
Thanks to Everyone Who Participated in Pittsburgh Conservancy Flower Planting
July 08, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I'd like to say thank you to all of my law firm's employees who participated in our Pittsburgh Conservancy event. The conservancy is an organization that is dedicated to "Improving quality of life for the people of Pittsburgh by restoring the park system to excellence in partnership with the City."
Two groups worked hard at preparing the plot and planting flowers in Squirrel Hill and at the Point. Thanks to all who took part in this project and made our city more beautiful. It's an honor to work with so many people who are committed to community service.
Coming up next for the firm is a project at Animal Friends, another amazing organization. I'll post more information on that soon.
Road Radio is currently underway in Central PA and Erie, and once again I'm thrilled with the feedback we've been getting from the students, teachers, and administrators who attend the shows. In fact, on a recent plane flight my wife sat next to a school administrator who had seen the show and raved that it was the best assembly the school has had. Here are some comments about last year's shows if you want to check them out. We'll be posting feedback from the 2009 schedule soon. I would like to say thank you to everyone who is taking the time to let us know about their experience with Road Radio, we really appreciate it!
My firm has sponsored this special program alongside Children's Hospital since 2005, and in that time it's traveled to over 100 schools and has been seen by more than 20,000 students. It means so much to know that Road Radio is having an impact, and I know that I say it all the time, but it's very true – even if it influences only one person to avoid dangerous behaviors like underage drinking and driving, then it's more than worth it.
Road Radio will be kicking off in Erie and Central PA in the spring, so I wanted to post the show schedule on the blog. Road Radio is an innovative multimedia program aimed at preventing underage drinking and other dangerous behaviors. My firm has been sponsoring this program along with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for the past several years. If you'd like to learn more about the program or about bringing Road Radio to your school, you can check out my firm's web site.
2009 Road Radio Schedule - Central PA and Erie
Fort LeBoeuf MS, Erie April 20, 2009 1:30 pm
Walnut Creek MS, Erie April 21, 2009 2:00 pm
JS Wilson MS, Erie April 22, 2009 2:00 pm
JoAnna Connell MS, Erie April 23, 2009 1:15 pm
Wilson MS, Erie April 24, 2009 8:30 am
Bishop Guilfoyle HS, Altoona April 29, 2009 1:00 pm
Altoona Central Catholic, Altoona April 30, 2009 1:00 pm
Altoona Jr. High, Altoona May 1, 2009 TBA
Jefferson MS, Erie May 7, 2009 1:30 pm
Indian Jr. High May 26, 2009 9:00 am
Conemaugh Twp. Intermediate, Johnstown May 27, 2009 2:15 pm
Thanks to Everyone Who Sent "Words to be Heard" Submissions
February 19, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I would like to say thank you to all of the high school seniors who submitted entries to our "Words to be Heard" college scholarship essay contest. We received a great response – the largest in the contest's history – and we're in the process of reading through the entries now. So far we're impressed by what we've seen, and it's going to be difficult to choose a winner! We'll be announcing all of the winners soon, so keep checking back.
For those of you who don't know about "Words to be Heard," it's a scholarship contest for high school seniors that asks them to think about serious issues like underage drinking and drinking and driving. This year, we asked students to submit a proposal for a program that would effectively teach pre-teens and teens about the dangers of underage drinking. You can visit my firm's website for more info on the contest, including official rules and prize amounts.
I am happy to announce that we have a winner in our Road Radio USA contest! Elizabeth Carlin, a 6th grade student at Trafford Middle School, will receive a Nintendo Wii. Congratulations, Elizabeth!
Road Radio is a multi-media assembly that combines music, lights and education in a format that actually reaches teens and preteens and teaches them about the dangers of underage drinking and other destructive behaviors. Along with about six hundred other students, Elizabeth took an online quiz to test what she learned about underage drinking from the Road Radio presentation. Anyone who "aces" the test is entered for a chance to win the prize.
This is a really amazing program that my law firm is proud to sponsor. If you are interested in learning more about Road Radio, or would like to have the presentation come to your school, you can visit my firm's website. We sponsor Road Radio in partnership with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, so the assembly is offered free of charge to your school.
We're Still Accepting Submissions for "Words to be Heard" College Scholarship Contest
January 14, 2009
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I want to remind everyone that my law firm is still accepting submissions for our third annual Words to be Heard scholarship contest. The contest is open to high school seniors in Central PA, Erie, and Pittsburgh, and the deadline for submissions is January 31, 2009.
Words to be Heard asks high school seniors to think of a program that would successfully teach pre-teens and teenagers about the consequences of underage drinking. You can visit my firm's web site for all the information you'll need on rules, eligibility, and prizes.
Not only does this contest provide scholarship money to students, it also gives them a chance to use their own experience and knowledge to raise public awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving. We encourage all high school seniors to submit their proposals, and hope that every student makes the decision to never drink and drive.
One of the things that I love most about my law firm is our staff's dedication to making our community a better place. They do this every day through their jobs by tirelessly fighting for our clients' rights. They also do this outside of work through their participation in charitable efforts and volunteer work. One such project is Treasures for Children.
Formerly known as the Angel Tree, the Salvation Army's Treasures for Children program provides toys for over 65,000 children, more than 25,000 of them in Allegheny County. Using the proceeds of a staff "auction," employees volunteered to buy presents for 25 kids. The picture to the left shows the presents they purchased.
I can't say often enough how proud I am to work with people who recognize the importance of giving back and don't hesitate to do so.
Employees at my law firm are participating in a holiday event through our community service program that I'm excited about and would like to share. Yesterday, staff members wrapped gifts purchased by our employees for senior citizens who are helped by Ursuline Senior Services (USS) here in Pittsburgh. USS is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of services, including care management and money management, to seniors in our community.
The program that we are participating in is called the Holiday Giving Tree, which works with volunteers to buy, wrap, and deliver presents to the elderly. There are far too many seniors who lack emotional and financial support from family and friends, and the holidays can be a particularly hard time. I'm very happy that we were able to at least make some wishes come true this holiday season, and I encourage you to visit Ursuline's website for information on how you can help with their efforts.
Announcing Edgar Snyder & Associates' "My Holiday Wish" Coloring Contest
September 29, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I’m happy to announce that my law firm is currently accepting submissions for our 5th Annual Coloring Contest. The theme for this year's contest is "My Holiday Wish." Elementary school students in western Pennsylvania can draw their "Holiday Wish" for a chance to win a $1,000 donation for their school and a $250 shopping spree at a local toy store for themselves.
The winning artist’s artwork will be featured on our law firm’s 2008 holiday card. In addition, three runners-up will receive a $100 toy store gift card and honorable mention on our holiday card. Any child enrolled in elementary school is eligible to participate. For more information and the official rules of the contest, your can visit our Coloring Contest web page or call toll-free at 1-800-394-3660, ext. 4412.
We look forward to receiving your entries and learning what your holiday wish is!
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Employee Volunteer Day
September 22, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Last week, a group of employees from my law firm traveled to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to volunteer in their warehouse. The food bank is a nonprofit organization located in Duquesne, Pennsylvania that collects and distributes food to southwestern PA residents through programs such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and Meals on Wheels. The food bank is housed in a 94,000-square-foot LEED-certified "green" warehouse and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
While at the food bank, our volunteers packaged bulk shipments of cereal for distribution and received a tour of the facility. They reported that the warehouse was clean and extremely well-organized, but that many of the shelves were empty. The food bank relies on volunteer support and donations, and right now they are in particular need of food donations since the rising cost of fuel means that their dollars don't go as far as they used to.
The trip that our employees took to the food bank is part of a community service program that allows our staff members to volunteer during the workday on a quarterly basis. Though our volunteers came back from the afternoon a little tired and sore, they were excited about the fact that they were able to go out in the community and help a worthy cause.
We would encourage you to see how you can get involved in the food bank's efforts by visiting their website, www.pittsburghfoodbank.org.
There are so many people at my law firm who dedicate their time to serving others that I wanted to highlight another employee today. Through active participation with her church, Christ Community UMC, this employee truly helps make her Altoona, PA community a better place.
One of the activities that she is involved in is an extension of her local soup kitchen, St. Vincent DePaul's Soup Kitchen. Because the kitchen is only open from Monday to Friday, her church and other local organizations provide a meal for needy people on Saturdays. They have been doing this "Love Feast" dinner for about eight years, and it is provided to people free of charge.
On holidays throughout the year, her church comes together to make the days brighter for those in need. They create large baskets of food, provide a turkey or a ham, and give a small gift card to as many needy families as possible. Every year for ten years, she and her church have been able to provide at least seven to 10 families with a large, nutritious holiday meal.
This employee and her church are also involved in the following:
Annual or semi-annual clothing giveaways
Prayer chains for people with personal problems and health issues.
Multiple dinners, craft sales, and bazaars to raise money for community activities
Gathering personal hygiene supplies for veterans
Collecting necessary supplies for flood victims
Assembling care packages for overseas troops
Providing building space and support for AA groups and the neighborhood crime watch
Our employee takes time out of her busy schedule to make a positive impact on her community. Her accomplishments and attitude toward helping others is a cause for pride at my law firm and I am truly honored to work with her.
Every day I am amazed by the ways that our staff members give back through their volunteer efforts. In a previous post, I talked about an employee who supports our global community through the African Rural Schools Foundation. Today I would like to discuss someone who dedicates her time to improving our local community.
This exceptional employee participates with her South Hills church in Habitat for Humanity and other housing projects. Leading a youth group, she traveled to rural West Virginia to build homes for local residents. One of the homes her group worked on was for a woman who has lived in a trailer since the 80s, when her house was destroyed in a major flood. The group worked long hours to construct a wheelchair ramp, erect scaffolding, paint windows, and hang doors for the new home.
Our employee also participated in housing projects that sponsored the home renovations of two local families. She helped paint and landscape the homes, and other volunteers knocked down walls, put up dry wall, poured concrete, and made the houses wheelchair accessible by building ramps and widening door ways.
Contributions like these have a lasting impact on people's lives. I cannot say enough how honored I am to work alongside people who recognize the importance of helping others and who dedicate their time to making our communities a better place to live.
One of the things that I am most proud of about my law firm is the fact that so many members of our staff are committed to serving our local and global communities. While their commitment to serving others begins with our clients, it certainly does not end there. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a member of our staff who works with a truly inspiring organization.
The African Rural Schools Foundation is an educational project in Uganda. The organization was started in 2006 with the goals of upgrading the literacy, economy, health and well-being of African citizens. It provides affordable schools for disadvantaged children in rural areas and emotional support for students who are affected or orphaned by HIV/AIDS. A member of my staff has been actively involved with the project since 2006, when he traveled to Uganda to install internet connections for the students, buy them laptops, and purchase land for additional school buildings.
The school has almost 500 children enrolled, and serves as an orphanage for about 200 of the students who have lost their parents. Our employee hopes to return to Uganda in 2009, at which time his goal will be to construct a brick building for the students, in an effort to begin replacing the less sturdy facilities that are currently used.
I am truly honored to work with people who are so dedicated to helping others. This story is just one amazing example of how the members of our firm give back in incredible ways.
Our Law Firm is Passionate About Spreading the "Don't Drink and Drive" Message
May 07, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
Thank you, Becky, for your comment in response to our recent post on our new television commercials about the dangers of drinking and driving. It is really great to hear that our efforts are making an impact. At our law firm we see the devastating effects of drunk driving and underage drinking all too often. Victims, families, and entire communities suffer from the irresponsible and dangerous decision that some drivers make to drink and drive. This is why it is important to us that we get the "Don't Drink and Drive" message out to the public.
In addition to our commercials, we are involved in a number of community service projects aimed at combating underage drinking and drunk driving. In fact, Road Radio USA, a multimedia program that we sponsor about the dangers of underage drinking, will be presented at Erie-area middle schools and high schools this week.
With the prom season fast approaching, we are proud to partner with Hot 100 in Central PA to offer the Prom Pledge, an opportunity to talk to hundreds of high school students about not drinking on prom night. We have also partnered with WPXI in Pittsburgh to present "Prom Tips" for having a safe, fun, and alcohol-free prom night. High school seniors also have the opportunity to contribute to our efforts through our "Words to be Heard" scholarship contest. Graduating seniors are encouraged to submit essays with ideas on how to prevent drunk driving among their peers.
These events and campaigns are not limited to the spring and summer months. We promote our "Don't Drink and Drive" message year-round, especially around the holidays when people drink more frequently. Additionally, our attorneys are always available to speak to organizations and schools about the tragic impact of drinking and driving.
Thanks again for your comment, Becky. I hope that our "Don't Drink and Drive" message rings true for everyone. Our law firm feels that it is our responsibility to fight the unnecessary pain and devastation caused by alcohol-related accidents.
Announcing the 2008 Words to be Heard Scholarship Contest to Fight Underage Drinking
February 07, 2008
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I’m proud to announce that my law firm is current accepting submissions for our 2008 Words to be Heard Scholarship Contest. Due to the success of last year’s debut contest, we’ve expanded our program to award scholarships to five high school seniors in the Erie, Pennsylvania region, as well as five seniors in the Central PA region.
Just like last year, Words to be Heard asks students to think hard about issues such as underage drinking, community involvement, and drinking & driving. The assignment for this year’s contest is:
"Students – write a proposal for a program that would effectively teach pre-teens and teenagers the consequences of underage drinking."
For all the official rules and information – as well as the prize amounts – visit our 2008 Words to be Heard Scholarship Contest webpage. You’ll find all you need to know, as well as contact information to get in touch with us in case you have any questions we didn’t cover.
This scholarship contest isn’t just about providing money to help pay educational costs. It’s also about raising public awareness of the damage caused by underage drinking. High school seniors – send us your submissions before the end of March, and above all, please don’t drink & drive.
Road Radio: On a Mission to Stop Underage Drinking and Driving
October 03, 2007
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
One of my passions is getting out the "Don’t Drink and Drive" message. I also am big on preventing underage drinking. Kids experiment with alcohol and drugs so young. That's why my law firm teamed up with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh to sponsor Road Radio USA. It's a multi-media assembly that combines music, lights and education in a format that actually reaches teens in Western Pennsylvania. It's an experience you never forget.
Here's a sampling of the comments we've received from middle-school students…
"Going into the auditorium, I thought it was going to be another one of those boring shows the school made us watch… but it wasn’t! To see someone like that with a remarkable story as that one really touched my heart."
"To be honest with you, I was getting ready to go to a party with beer and drink all night. But after I heard what you guys have to say, that changed my life and also you saved my life. I thank you so much for that."
"It inspired me to not even start drinking."
"You definitely made me think about making choices and how it can affect my whole life. It’s hard to imagine one wrong decision and your whole life could be taken away."
Here are a couple of excerpts from letters sent by school principals…
"The message dealing with the dangers and issues of underage drinking was presented in an energetic manner in which students could easily relate…several students and adults told me that they were brought to tears. I felt that this was an extremely effective assembly that delivered an important message in a powerful manner." – Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School
"I observed almost all of the 330 students awestruck with Jim and the awesome program on alcohol prevention and its consequences. My faculty, staff, and students were talking all day about the program in the halls, faculty lounge, and cafeteria." – Rostraver Middle School
The way I see it, if Road Radio prevents just one young person from drinking alcohol, it's all worth it. There's no doubt in my mind that Jimbo, the show's creator and host, will save lives.
Want your students to benefit from Road Radio USA? Parents, teachers, students, school administrators and community leaders interested in this program should contact lrosen@edgarsnyder.com.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: 2007 Pittsburgh Walk for the Cure
September 20, 2007
Posted by: Attorney Edgar Snyder
I was proud to attend a wonderful event this past weekend that benefited an incredible cause. The 2007 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) held their annual Walk to Cure Diabetes at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh. Flagstaff Hill was packed with people young and old who were excited to help raise money to find a cure for this disease.
It was also a special personal time for me because my grandson has juvenile diabetes. My wife and I sponsored the registration tent at the Walk and we walked with my grandson’s team, Eli’s Eagles. Thank you to my friends, family and colleagues at Edgar Snyder & Associates who walked with us or sponsored us.
My law firm also had their own program that raised over $1,500. One of my partners at the firm has a son with Juvenile Diabetes and he raised money for his son's team, Jacob’s Jewels.
It felt great to be a part of the 4,000-plus people that attended the JDRF Walk, which raised awareness and close to $800,000. I was honored to be a part of the efforts to help find a cure for diabetes. At my law firm, we see how devastating diabetes can be. Not only because we have loved ones and colleagues battling the disease, but because we represent clients who are disabled by diabetes and need Social Security Disability benefits since they are unable to work.
Several members of my family and law firm attended yesterday's kick-off luncheon for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk for the Cure. It's a cause that impacts my family personally, as well as several people who work at the law firm.
My grandson has Juvenile Diabetes (JD), and one of my partner's sons is also learning to live with JD. In addition, we have several staff members at the law firm who have diabetes.
The speeches at the luncheon were meaningful and inspiring, as diabetic children and their parents lent their experiences to the audience. My partner, Jason Lichtenstein, and his wife Julie are very active with the JDRF. Julie spoke about her journey as a parent with a young son who has juvenile diabetes, and her son's bravery in coping with JD. The Walk has become a day of celebration for their family and mine.
On Saturday, September 15, we're encouraging our staff to walk with us in Schenley Park or sponsor a walker to raise money to help find a cure for JD. Visit www.jdrf.org to get involved with a great cause.
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We've started to get feedback from this year's 
I'd like to say thank you to our staff members who participated in our most recent 
I'd like to say thank you to all of our employees who participated in the 
too many seniors who lack emotional and financial support from loved ones, and it's wonderful that Ursuline gives people a chance to make a difference. 
I'm happy to announce the start of our annual "Words to be Heard" college scholarship essay contest. This is the fourth year that we've held the contest, and we're looking forward to seeing what this year's entries bring.
Yesterday employees from the firm spent part of the day at Animal Friends, an animal shelter located in Ohio Township, PA. Animal Friends is a really terrific organization that finds homes for thousands of animals in need each year. In fact, as of yesterday, they were up to more than 1,400 adoptions since January!
I'd like to say thank you to all of my law firm's employees who participated in our 
One of the things that I love most about my law firm is our staff's dedication to making our community a better place. They do this every day through their jobs by tirelessly fighting for our clients' rights. They also do this outside of work through their participation in charitable efforts and volunteer work. One such project is 
Employees at my law firm are participating in a holiday event through our 
Last week, a group of employees from my law firm traveled to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to volunteer in their warehouse. The food bank is a nonprofit organization located in Duquesne, Pennsylvania that collects and distributes food to southwestern PA residents through programs such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and Meals on Wheels. The food bank is housed in a 94,000-square-foot LEED-certified "green" warehouse and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.