Jan. 31, 2014
After months of preparation and research, The Leesfield Foundation, www.leesfieldfoundation.org, is excited to announce the launching of its new website.The site provides visitors with a simple, directed user-friendly function to tell the story of who we are and what we do for our community, locally and nationally, during the past two decades. Through local, national and worldwide non-profit organizations, Leesfield Foundation continues its commitment to answer the call of the less fortunate, in particular children and the elderly.
The Leesfield Foundation, founded in 1990, is committed to supporting non-profit organizations in the South Florida community, grant scholarships to aspiring minority law students who demonstrate a commitment to preserving the civil justice system, lend support to national and international causes, i.e. the Clinton Foundation, American Red Cross as well as provide immediate aid to victims of natural disasters.
We are proud to celebrate our 2013 accomplishments:
The Florida Association of Women Lawyers (Miami-Dade County Chapter) honored Ira Leesfield with the 2013 Philanthropy Award recognizing two decades of scholarship support for deserving FAWL female law student members through scholarship grants. The Leesfield Family Foundation is credited as the first charitable organization to fund a scholarship to FAWL. The first Philanthropy Award was presented Leesfield at FAWL’s 2013 Annual Judicial and Scholarship Luncheon held at The Epic Hotel in Miami, FL.
This year, the AAJ/Leesfield Law Student Scholarship was awarded to Adam Birka-White, a first year law student at the University of San Francisco School of Law. The award was presented at the American Association for Justice Annual Convention held this past summer in San Francisco.
Closer to home, two scholarships were granted to Yineth Sanchez and Antoinette Pollard, law student members of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. The scholarships were presented at FAWL’s 31st Annual Judicial Reception and Holiday celebration in Miami, FL.
LFF Chair, Jennifer Leesfield, is especially committed to support organizations which work to improve the health, educational and social needs of children in foster care, including Voices for Children Foundation and The Children’s Home Society. The Foundation was a sponsor for the 19th annual “Be a Voice” Awards Luncheon held in Miami, Florida. Voices for Children raises funds to ensure that abused and neglected children in Miami-Dade County have court-appointed guardians ad litem. The Children’s Home Society “Claws for a Cause” event was held on October 14, 2013 at Joe’s Stone Crab on Miami Beach where the Foundation was a “Key Lime” sponsor. Children’s Home is a leader in providing community based solutions to meet the needs of over 30,000 children and their families every year, with a wide range of social services, including emergency shelters, foster care, adoption, counseling and child abuse prevention and intervention services. Through Jennifer Leesfield’s efforts, the Foundation expanded its support of the Humane Society of Greater Miami and Jewish Community Services of South Florida.
LFF partnered with Miami Jewish Health Systems in paying tribute to Arlyn and Stephen H. Cypen at the organization’s Founders Gala for their lifetime of generosity and dedication to the South Florida community. Considered the largest and most innovative provider of healthcare for seniors in the southeast, Miami Jewish Health Systems treats over 25,000 residents and patients annually.
In November 2013, Cynthia Leesfield co-chaired a highly successful Miami fund raiser event for the Clinton Foundation at the home of Ambassador Paul and Trudy Cejas on Star Island, FL. The proceeds will support the life-changing work of the Clinton Foundation – improving global health, strengthening economies, promoting health and wellness and protecting the environment by fostering innovative partnerships among businesses, governments, NGOs, and private citizens. Mrs. Leesfield has remained an active voice in both the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiatives, following her years of service to Senator Hillary Clinton in both her Senatorial and Presidential campaigns.
The Leesfield Foundation is a proud sponsor of the Marques Butler Memorial Softball Tournament, an annual softball tournament held in Key West, Florida honoring the spirit and memory of Marques “Squeeze” Butler. The fund raising event, to be held on February 15 – 16, 2014, will benefit the Marques Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance to college-bound Key West High School student athletes who exemplify the strong moral character and sportsmanship displayed by Marques throughout his life, both on and off the field.
As we embark on a new year, we invite you to explore our new website, www.leesfieldfoundation.org and learn more about the causes and organizations we support. Keep watch over updates as yet another year of giving opportunities unfold. Consider joining us in embracing the needs of our communities. Together we can make a difference! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
