United Way Recognizes Holland & Knight Law Firm For A Second Year With Summit Award

United Way of America
Thursday, 17 May 2001

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—May 17, 2001—United Way of America today recognized Holland & Knight, the fifth largest law firm in the U.S., as one of three Spirit of America Summit Award winners. Holland &Knight receives this award for the second year in a row for its continued outstanding employee campaigns, corporate contributions and commitment to United Way's efforts to focus resources on the most important needs in communities across the country. Holland & Knight is the first and only law firm to receive such national recognition.

"For the second year in a row, the Holland & Knight family has demonstrated exemplary support of United Way's efforts to provide solutions to the most pressing issues in communities," said Ellie Ferdon, United Way of America's Board Chair. "Because of their support, United Way is in a better position to serve as a community solutions provider – building partnerships, forging consensus and maximizing resources to help people in need. On behalf of United Way I would like to commend Holland & Knight for their dedication to making a positive impact in communities nationwide."

More than 14,000 children across the United States benefited from the volunteer efforts of Holland & Knight partners and employees. These activities included work with numerous United Way agencies, Holland & Knight's Opening Doors for Children Program, and its Holocaust Remembrance Project. Members of the firm also donated approximately $7.5 million in pro bono legal work to nonprofit organizations in 2000. In addition, Holland & Knight's 2000 campaign contributed more than $2 million to United Way, a 60 percent increase over last year's campaign. Corporate per capita contributions for the firm also increased by 74 percent from last year. United Way invests these donations into projects which help improve the overall quality of communities where Holland & Knight employees live and work.

"It is an honor for Holland & Knight to receive such recognition by United Way for the second year in a row," said Bill McBride, Holland & Knight managing partner. "We always look for ways to improve our programs to better support our communities. Having United Way as a partner always helps us in this endeavor."

In addition to Holland & Knight, FedEx, and United Parcel Service also received 2000 Summit awards. United Way presented Summit Awards to companies that have achieved distinction in specific initiatives that make a measurable difference in communities. Nationwide Financial Services Inc. received the overall Spirit of America award.

Spirit of America and Summit Award winners are judged on detailed criteria by a panel of past winners and United Way National Corporate Leadership members who have not entered the competition, United Way labor liaisons and individual United Way organizations.

United Way of America's National Corporate Leadership (NCL) program works with more than 130 major corporations and 1,400 United Way organizations to strengthen corporate involvement in communities. Typical NCL companies have more than 10,000 employees and annual corporate and employee contributions of more than $1 million. NCL companies contribute more than $800 million to United Ways to help bring communities together to focus resources and provide solutions for the most important needs in the community.

United Way of America is the national service and training center for the 1,400 member strong United Way system. Its role is to equip United Ways – as well as their corporate and philanthropic partners – with the tools that they need to make a measurable impact in the communities they serve. United Way of America invests in the programs and services that strengthen the ability of local United Ways to focus resources and provide solutions for the most important needs in communities nationwide.

For more information, or to contact United Way of America, see their website at: www.unitedway.org