Wills for Heroes Records Fall In Greensboro

Article Date: Monday, November 03, 2008

Written By: Russell Rawlings

First responders turned out in record numbers for the Wills for Heroes event in Greensboro.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina Bar Association scaled new heights in Greensboro when it conducted its fourth Wills for Heroes event.

“The Greensboro event was amazing,” said YLD Chair Patti Ramseur. “There were so many people: 304 first responders and their spouses were served and received over 900 wills, powers of attorney and health care powers of attorney.

“This is a new record.”

Participation has been the key to the success of this program throughout its existence in North Carolina, beginning with the first Charlotte event last year and continuing through successful stops in Cary and Salisbury. Law enforcement officers, fire safety personnel and emergency medical technicians have readily welcomed each Wills for Heroes program, and the volunteer lawyers, paralegals, law students and notaries have responded accordingly.

Some 60 volunteers were on hand for the daylong event in Greensboro, which was held at the Public Safety Training Facility on North Church Street. Leslie Lippa, assistant to the fire chief for the Greensboro Fire Department, coordinated matters on behalf of area first responders.

Support was also provided by the following sponsors: Riva's Trattoria (Greene Street), The Painted Plate (Church Street), Chic-fil-A (The Village at North Elm) CVS (Hicone Road), Harris Teeter (Golden Gate and Pisgah Church & Elm Street locations), Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP and the NCBA.

Attorneys Anthony Hayes of South Carolina and Jeff Jacobson of Arizona are responsible for establishing the Wills for Heroes Foundation. Their efforts attracted the attention of the YLD last year when it hosted the American Bar Association YLD’s Fall Conference in Charlotte.

The Wills for Heroes public service project quickly became a focal point of the Charlotte conference. Following an outpouring from more than 200 first responders, subsequent events were scheduled and Wills for Heroes became an ongoing objective for the NCBA.

NCBA President Charles Becton has identified Wills for Heroes and the expansion thereof as a primary objective for 2008-09.

The next installment of the YLD’s Wills for Heroes project is scheduled Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Charlotte Fire and Police Training Academy located at 1770 Shopton Road. The last appointment is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Click here for additional information regarding the Nov. 15 program.