Service Opportunities

The Student Bar Association, in addition to many other School of Law student organizations, recognizes the importance of philanthropic involvement within the St. Louis community. The following highlights a few of the events the SBA has recently sponsored.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – Team SLU LAW

In support of the fight against breast cancer, the SBA sponsored a team for the 2006 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation St. Louis Race for the Cure. Team SLU LAW was one of 763 teams and we contributed almost $500 to the Foundation. This was a great opportunity for the School to show student, faculty and administrative support for the advancement of research, education, screening and treatment of breast cancer. The city of St. Louis hosted the largest Race for the Cure in the world in 2006. Some of us ran, some of us walked, but all who participated in the 5K will never forget the extraordinary sight of over 64,000 participants at the starting line. In appreciation of the team’s efforts, the SBA hosted a post-race barbeque in Tower Grove Park.

Look for upcoming information on this summer’s St. Louis Race for the Cure, held on Saturday morning, June 16, 2007.

CARE-aoke Charitable Event

This year the SBA hosted the inaugural CAREaoke Charitable Event to benefit the local chapter of Big Brothers, Big Sisters (BBBS). The event was held at Humphrey’s Bar and Restaurant and it was a huge success. Fourteen student organizations participated, over 250 people attended and $1,500 was raised for youth mentoring programs in St. Louis.

Students representing various student organizations performed karaoke acts before a panel of judges (Professors Fred Bloom, Eric Miller and Kerry Ryan). The judges provided American-Idol style commentary on the performances. The Black Law Students’ Association won the competition with their performance of “At the Car Wash” while the Health Law Association won second place with their performance of “Stop in the Name of Love.” The “Best Vocal Performance” award was given to SBA Secretary Annie Hendrickson.

BBBS is a nonprofit mentoring organization that matches adult volunteers with kids from at-risk families. Every $1000 raised by BBBS will match one child and helps support that match for at least one year. Law students serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters to disadvantaged youth throughout the St. Louis area. The BBBS local chapter provides training for student volunteers, who then spend a few hours a month with their little brother or sister. Students help with homework, play games or just take the time to listen to their younger friends. For information about how you may participate in the BBBS mentor program, please contact Bart Holland, School-Based Manager, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, at bholland@bbbsemo.org.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

For several years the SBA has sponsored blood drives in conjunction with the American Red Cross. The MissouriIllinois Blood Services Region annually distributes over 500,000 blood products to patients in need, relying on about 1,200 donations of whole blood every day in order to meet the needs of patients. Just one donation can help save up to 3 lives! Blood received from donations is used to treat people with anemia, transplant patients and automobile accident victims. The blood products are also an important part of treating cancer patients, people suffering from shock and serious burns, in addition to helping patients with blood disorders. Unfortunately, although 60% of the general public is eligible to donate blood, only 5% give. The blood drive is an important opportunity for School of Law students, faculty and administration to make a life-saving difference.

The Spring Red Cross/SBA Sponsored Blood Drive will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007. Please contact Nicole Lewer at jnl_slulaw@hotmail.com if you are interested in donating.