AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee Hosts Inaugural Rooftop Fundraiser for Pro Bono Clinic

On Wednesday July 24th, 2024 AABANYs Pro Bono & Community Service (PBCS) Committee hosted their inaugural rooftop fundraiser, holding a silent auction and collecting donations to contribute towards the committee’s Pro Bono Clinics. AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinic provides free legal services and information for low- to middle-income members of the community, including New York’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Skilled legal practitioners as well as non-legal volunteers all contribute their time and effort in support of the clinics. 

The event was hosted at the Lookup, a rooftop bar atop the Kixby Hotel with a spectacular view of the Empire State Building. Complimentary food and beverages were served featuring exotic cocktails and mocktails, as well as elevated American Classics like grilled cheese and lobster rolls.

The guests in attendance ranged from AABANY Co-Founder Rocky Chin, law school students, practicing attorneys, AABANY Executive Director Yang Chen, current and former Co-Chairs of the PBCS Committee, numerous AABANY members, as well as high school and college students. Everyone mixed and mingled, exchanging colorful anecdotes and reuniting with old friends, while bidding on the silent auction items.

The following bidding items, were all donated by prominent members of the legal and AABANY community for the silent auction to raise funds for the Pro Bono Clinic:

  • Pre-nuptial or postnuptial agreement, from consultation, negotiations, to execution was generously donated by Beatrice Leong 
  • Two admission tickets to Summit Vanderbilt were generously donated by Dianna Lam 
  • One day golf experience for 2 people, including admission to golf course, cart and equipment rentals, and dinner, was donated by Hardy Zhou
  • One hour virtual private chess training was donated by Hassan Minhas
  • Two hour private kung fu/defense class was donated by Joseph Eng, President of AABANY
  • Thirty minute resume review by professional headhunter/legal recruiter was donated by Katherine Loanzon
  • $100 Skyfoods Supermarket Giftcard was donated by Kevin Yam
  • One handcrafted and customized artwork was donated by May Wong
  • A private yoga class was donated by Tsui Yee
  • A bottle of Ron Barcelo Blanco Rum was donated by Yan Sin

In total the event, through ticket sales, donations, and bids, raised $8,800 in contributions to the clinic. The winning bidders will be contacted separately by the PBCS Committee on how to claim their auction prizes. 

Throughout the night members of the PBCS Committee leadership gave speeches. Co-Chair Lina Lee began by applauding every volunteer, thanking them for their time and effort but especially their drive to go above and beyond for each client. Every lawyer that volunteered their time and expertise expressed a desire to do good for the community. Lina continued discussing the life-changing services the clinic provided, sharing anecdotes of young mothers, asylum seekers, new Americans, and recent immigrants who had desperately needed the legal services provided.

Next to speak was Co-Chair May Wong, who regaled the crowd with anecdotes on the portrait of Yang at the event and encouraged everyone present to bid on the auction item she had donated, which was a handcrafted and customizable piece of artwork created by her.

After May, Executive Director Yang Chen spoke on how the Pro Bono Clinic had grown from humble beginnings into an award- and grant-winning community project that helped hundreds upon hundreds of people yearly, growing from one clinic in Manhattan to three, covering Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. He mentioned that while free legal services were provided, it cost money to provide these services, and the generous donations of the many in-person and online attendees would help cover the costs of providing free legal services that the community sorely needs. 

Co-Chair Gary Yeung spoke next, discussing his personal experience with the clinic, how he grew as a legal professional as the legal clinic grew in prominence. Co-Chair Kwok Kei Ng closed for his fellow Co-Chairs by reiterating the praise for the volunteers and thanking all the guests for their support and attendance. 

The event continued into the onset of evening as the sun dipped below the rooftop’s view of the Manhattan skyline, bathing the sky in neon purples and oranges. Drinks, stories, and laughs continued to flow as the night slowly came to an end. 

AABANY gives a big thanks to AALFNY and Schulte. Roth & Zabel for co-sponsoring this event, everyone who donated items for the silent auction, those who attended the event and everyone who donated in person or online.

You can continue your support by donating here: https://probono.aabany.org/donate

Or, if easier but with fees-attached option, here: 

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/asian-american-law-fund-of-new-york-inc/pro-bono-legal-clinic-fundraiser-donations

Please join the PBCS Committee at the following upcoming events:

Queens Pro Bono Clinic on August 7th, 2024 at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/5PjG8A73EE1XENyV9

Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on August 21st, 2024 at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002. Sign up here – https://forms.gle/SD2VMY8X6yE4vsxW9  
To learn more about AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee contact [email protected] or click here.

FAM (FILIPINO AMERICAN MUSEUM) TO LAUNCH ITS THIRD TYPHOON HAIYAN RELIEF FUNDRAISER

Reception and Exhibition: January 10, 2014, 6-9 pm at
Eleven Rivington, 195 Chrystie St., New York City

(New York, NY – December 20, 2013) FAM (Filipino American Museum) is pleased to present the third installment in a series of fundraisers for Typhoon Haiyan relief. Beginning on January 1, 2014, a benefit art auction organized by FAM and hosted on Paddle8 will launch, featuring works donated by over 30 artists. The auction will close on January 11 at 6 pm EST.

As relief efforts following the typhoon enter a second month, FAM continues to rally support for much-needed long-term recovery plans in the affected areas of the Philippines. The beneficiary of the auction will be the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC), a global organization committed to short-term and long-term planning and relief for women and children affected by Typhoon Haiyan. The WRC is working to identify the most effective ways to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan reclaim their livelihoods and establish stable lives in the aftermath of the disaster. FAM supports WRC’s hands-on approach and long-range strategy and looks forward to working with this committed and inspiring organization. 

The organizing committee, brought together by FAM, is comprised of Filipino Americans in the arts: gallerist Augusto Arbizo; artists Avena Gallagher, Josh Kline, Paul Pfeiffer, Carissa Rodriguez and Jon Santos; and photographer Christelle de Castro.  

FAM is thankful to the diverse group of emerging and established American and international artists who swiftly responded to the benefit committee’s call to action by donating their artworks to support the survivors of the devastating typhoon. The artist list (in formation) includes: Becca Albee, Ei Arakawa, Anthony Castro, Paul Chan, Matt Connors, TM Davy, Michael DeLucia, Cheryl Donegan, Anne Eastman, Keltie Ferris, Nik Gambaroff, Josh Kline, Ajay Kurian, Margaret Lee, Jason Loebs, Michelle Lopez, Charles Mayton, Nick Mauss, Jessica Mein, Ken Okiishi, Virginia Overton, Andre Razo, Athena Robles, Carissa Rodriguez, Miljohn Ruperto, Jon Santos, Leanne Shapton, Mika Tajima, Grace Villamil, Amy Yao, Anicka Yi, Amy Lien & Enzo Camacho, Tobias Madison & Emanuel Rosetti.

FAM’s first benefit for Typhoon Haiyan relief, ‘Bayanihan Spirit’, took place at the Galapagos Art Space in November. It raised $11,000 for National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON). The second benefit, an online holiday shop featuring items from today’s leading designers, is an ongoing campaign and will benefit LIFESAVER systems fund for the Philippines.

About Women’s Refugee Commission
The Women’s Refugee Commission has conducted extensive research on the positive long-term impacts of supporting livelihood activities in emergencies. Getting people back on their feet and linked to regular income is one of the most urgently needed and effective strategies towards lasting recovery. At the same time, having access to a safe livelihood reduces vulnerabilities and the risk of sexual violence and exploitation of women and older girls in particular.

With your donations, the Women’s Refugee Commission will focus on restoring livelihoods in a heavily damaged area of Samar. These activities will be centered on artisans whose production of woven and embroidered goods is purchased by a small company. Assistance to resume production would support the livelihood of 500+ families, help the local economy rebound and reduce the vulnerabilities and risks of trafficking, sexual violence and exploitation of hundreds of women and young girls.  

About FAM
FAM (Filipino American Museum) is the first museum focused on examining the connection between contemporary Filipino American arts and the roots and traditions of the Philippine diaspora. A startup committed to presenting cultural programs in stimulating and unprecedented ways, FAM is dedicated to seeking out what it is to be Filipino in America. In the spirit of a diverse people, FAM’s roving programs serve as a fluid, user-generated, inquiry-based space. An untold American story, FAM presents its findings through live performances, exhibits, installations, community forums, online content and otherwise.

NYCLA Mentor for a Day Auction

SAVE THE DATE: TUE SEPT 10, 6:30PM

Whether you are in your first, second or last year of law school, the New York County Lawyers’ Association invites all law students to its annual Law Student Reception and Mentor for a Day Auction.

JOIN US for food, drink, networking and fun AT NO COST TO YOU at the NYCLA Home of Law, 14 Vesey Street NY.  Meet the leaders of one of the most influential county bar associations in the country, and learn about the opportunities and benefits available for law students.

BID YOUR HEART OUT at our super fun and high energy “Mentor for a Day Auction”  for the chance to “shadow” a lawyer or a judge for a day and make a valuable connection.  Get the chance to find yourself deliberating with a judge in chambers or spending a day with an attorney at trial.  "Auction mentors" include a respected jurist, partners in prestigious law firms, and leading government counsel.

* ALL law students who attend will receive $200 off A Kaplan<http://www.kaptest.com/Bar-Exam/Bar-Review-Courses/General-Bar-Review/complete-bar-review-course.html> Bar Review Course

* Raffle prizes include a free Kaplan Bar Review Course, a coaching session with noted networking guru Jaimie Field<http://marketingfield.com/>, and more!

This is an opportunity that no law student should miss!

Register now!  The bidding starts soon:

http://bit.ly/12R2cJd

NYLS Annual Public Interest Auction

185 West Broadway
New York, New York 10013
April 4th, 2012
6 – 9pm in the Events Center

New York Law School cordially invites all to its annual Public Interest Auction.  Proceeds from this event go towards funding law students in unpaid public interest positions over the summer. The event will include:

  • a silent auction
  • a live auction
  • live musical performances by students and an up and coming group from Atlanta
  • multi-cultural buffet dinner              

Please visit www.biddingforgood.com/nylsauction for a view of the items that will be available the night of the event, as well as items available online only.  Bidding for online only items closes Monday, April 2 at noon.
 
For more information on the NYLS Public Interest Auction, e-mail [email protected].