Young lawyers ice skate to fight hunger
By Hal D. Coffey
For The Lawyers Journal
March 17, 2006—With temperatures not quite as frigid as in Skate-a-thons past, a dozen skaters did their best salchows and triple lutzes as part of the fourth annual Young Lawyers Division Skate-a-thon at The Rink at PPG Place on Feb. 9. Amid the picturesque backdrop, participants once again circled the ice in an effort to raise money for the Allegheny County Bar Foundation’s Attorneys Against Hunger program.
The skaters’ efforts culminated in raising over $3,000 in sponsorships, a record for the event. Over the last four years, the Skate-a-thon has raised nearly $11,000 for AAH.
The Grogan Graffam Rink Rats, a collection of attorneys and personnel from Grogan Graffam, PC, including Mike Feeney, Holly Whalen, Bob Leidigh, Sherri L. Weber, and Hal D. Coffey, were tops among the laced-up fundraisers, with the team raising over $1,100. Top individual fundraisers included Mary McGinley (of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP), Daniel J. Kraut (Greenfield and Kraut) and Richard Lindner (Lindner & Simpson).
Prizes were also given out to the skater with the most laps around the rink. Though it was a close race, this year’s winner was Mara Fisher, who received a gift certificate from Ciao Baby restaurant.
Following the skating, participants were treated to hot chocolate at the rink concession area. The tasty beverage was provided by Special Counsel, a legal placement and staffing company. The skaters were also treated to an after-event celebration at Ciao Baby in Market Square.
Special thanks to event sponsors, Special Counsel and Ciao Baby, and to The Rink at PPG Place for discounting admission for Skate-a-Thon participants.
Additional thanks to Kristy Rizzo for co-coordinating the event and to all the participants helping the YLD raise a record-setting amount for AAH. With plans already in the works for the fifth annual Skate-a-Thon, the goal will be to break this year’s record sponsorships.