Community Outreach

We at Sanders & Parks believe that giving to the community is as important as our legal service. Our employees and attorneys give back in a host of ways, from pro bono representation to donations to service as Board members for some of the most worthy charities in the State. 

Sanders & Parks answered Phoenix Rescue Mission's call for its annual Filled Easter Basket Drive. The Firm's employees assembled and delivered 39 filled Easter Baskets to be provided to low-income families. Phoenix Rescue Mission assists families and individuals throughout the community with basic needs every week. Mission chaplains seek out those in need who are unable to come to the Mission. Food boxes, clothing, and disposable diapers are among the items given away to the poor. The ministry to working poor families also includes an annual Easter event, Back to School event, Thanksgiving food box giveaway and the Christmas Adopt-a-Family program. The staff members continue their outreach with the Hope Coach, taking food, water, Bibles and encouragement out to homeless people in local area parks. Phoenix Rescue Mission is there to help provide a solution, whenever possible, to those in need.

Debora Verdier and Shanks Leonhardt have hosted clients at the Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament which benefits the ALS Association. Barry Fish was a well known Phoenix attorney who fought a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Each year the tournament raises thousands of dollars for critical research into treatment for this disabling disease.

Sanders & Parks has a long history of supporting our armed services, from the number of current and former Sanders & Parks attorneys who have served, to care package programs for the troops overseas. Most recently, Sanders & Parks gathered and sent 191 pounds of clothing and shoes to be distributed to Afghanistani children by the United States Army, 19th Special Forces Group in Shindand, sponsored by attorney Brett Hager's brother, Eric Hager, a combat medic with the 19th SFG.

 

Sanders & Parks sponsored four teams in the fourth annual Rosie's House Summer Bowling Shootout. Founded in 1996, Rosie's House is a tuition-free music academy for children ages 5 to 18. Their mission is to provide under-served youth of Greater Phoenix with the gift of music, which enhances their daily lives by providing direction, stability and tools for future success. The academy offers group and private lessons in string instruments, piano, brass and woodwind instruments, a variety of ensembles (including chorus) and performance opportunities for students. Two of the Firms' teams swept the bowling tournament, taking first and second place, with IT Director Kevin Svec posting a high game 255. Debora Verdier actively devotes her time to Rosie's House and was proud to serve on its Board of Directors from 2002 through 2007. Ms. Verdier also served as president for Rosie's House from 2003 to 2005.

Following a three-year tradition, Sanders & Parks sponsored a foursome at the Arizona Blind and Deaf Children's Foundation most recent Swing for Success golf tournament at the Raven South Mountain. Established in 2002, the Foundation fulfills its mission of investing in the future of Arizona's 4,000-plus blind, deaf, low-vision, and hard-of-hearing children by supporting programs at Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Today, the Foundation is committed to ensuring that all of the blind and deaf children throughout the state have access to experiential learning in key areas that encompass, and expand upon, traditional education. By focusing on these areas, including the fit for life, success for life, art for life, and literacy for life programs, the Foundation aims to prepare the young people it serves to be self-sufficient, contributing members of society. Brett Hager and Jeffrey Smith both serve as Board members for the Arizona Blind & Deaf Children's Foundation ("ABDCF") and contribute to its mission.

The Firm rallied in response to the annual back to school backpack drive for the Phoenix Rescue Mission. Firm employees bought and filled 54 backpacks to be given to Phoenix-area underprivileged youth. Phoenix Rescue Mission assists families and individuals throughout the community with basic needs every week. Mission chaplains seek out those in need who are unable to come to the Mission. Food boxes, clothing, and disposable diapers are among the items given away to the poor. The ministry to working poor families also includes an annual Easter event, Back to School event, Thanksgiving food box giveaway and the Christmas Adopt-a-Family program. The staff members continue their outreach with the Hope Coach, taking food, water, Bibles and encouragement out to homeless people in local area parks. Phoenix Rescue Mission is there to help provide a solution, whenever possible, to those in need.