It is a productive and busy 2014 for the Leesfield Family Foundation as we head towards the holidays. The Foundation made another major grant to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library to support the ceremonies and activities which took place in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 14, 2014.
Clinton supporters from all over the world will be in attendance as President Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton host both public and private events during the Clinton Retreat. Ira and Cynthia Leesfield were pioneers of the initial Library funding and have supported the Clinton efforts in philanthropy since President Clinton left the White House. Their work with the Clinton Global Initiative, Clinton Library and Clinton Foundation expresses the close ties between both foundations working for the public benefit.
Moving from Little Rock to Province, Rhode Island, the Leesfield Family Foundation, for the first time, initiated support for The Tomorrow Fund for Children with Cancer. Brought to their attention by a Leesfield Family member, Sophie Bikofsky. According to Trustee Jennifer Leesfield, “it was a no brainer,” and we did not stop to think about it twice. We are honored to be asked and excited to help out, especially at this time of the year.” Founded in 1985 by doctors, child life specialists and parents of children suffering with the devastating disease, The Tomorrow Fund provides financial help to families of children with cancer to help ease the burden of medical bills, loss of income, cost of transportation, meals and overnight stays. To date more than 1,500 children and their families have received support from this organization.
Back in Miami-Dade County, the Foundation continues its support of the Yes Institute which we have now sponsored during the past ten years. This organization concentrates its efforts on suicide prevention through education and awareness to the youth and their families on gender and orientation. “The work of the Yes Institute is unique in our community,” says Foundation Trustee, Cynthia Leesfield.
Voices for Children is a leading non-profit advocacy and funding organization concerned with the lives of abandoned, abused and neglected children and youth in our community. For the past decade, the Leesfield Family Foundation has recognized their important work with a long term gift programw which continues into 2014. As the fund raising organization of the Miami-Dade County Guardian Ad Litem program, LFF joins in supporting their efforts to protect the vulnerable children in our community. “Voices for Children is unparalleled in its mission and role model,” says Ira Leesfield, founder of the Leesfield Family Foundation.
Scholarships continue to be an important part of the Foundation’s work. Following the Leesfield/AAJ Law Student Scholarship given to Brenda Kathurima this past summer, a scholarship is being awarded through the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (Miami-Dade Chapter). This year’s recipient is Nejla Calvo, a third-year law student at the University of Miami School of Law. The Leesfield Family Foundation has supported FAWL’s efforts for 18 consecutive years with plans to continue into the future. At the same time, the Leesfield Scolaro law firm continues its support of FAWL as a Grand Benefactor in addition to scholarship efforts by recognizing Janelle Vega, a second-year law student at St. Thomas University School of Law. The scholarships will be presented on December 4, 2014 at the 32nd Annual Judicial Reception and Scholarship Awards Luncheon to be held at the Mandarin Hotel in Miami, FL. The Leesfield Family Foundation is credited as being the first charitable organization to fund a FAWL scholarship. Last year, FAWL presented the Philanthropist Award to Trustee Ira Leesfield in recognition of his long time scholarship support and commitment to promote gender equality in the legal profession. “Miami-Dade FAWL awards scholarships to deserving law students in South Florida for decades thanks to the generosity of our supporters like the Leesfield Family Foundation and the law firm of Leesfield Scolaro, P.A. The Leesfield Family Foundation and Leesfield Scolaro, P.A. recognize that by supporting those who are striving to educate themselves under difficult circumstances, our community grows stronger and better. We are eternally grateful for the support they have provided to Miami-Dade FAWL over the past 18 years,” said Deborah Baker, President, FAWL Miami-Dade Chapter.
Leesfield Family Foundation 2014 Holiday Grants Include:
- Clinton Foundation
- Voices for Children Foundation, Inc.
- The Tomorrow Fund
- Coconut Grove Elementary PTA
- Yes Institute
For grant and scholarship information go to:
www.leesfieldfoundation.org