COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

A Face in the Storm: Campaign for the Homeless Committee

By Ruth Shapiro and Tommy Proctor

“Who will help me bake the bread?” asked the little red hen.

“Not I,” said the dog.
“Not I,” said the pig.
“Not I,” said the cow.

The members who join the Campaign for the Homeless Committee, unlike the characters in the familiar children’s fable, The Little Red Hen, are eager to help. The committee has a recipe for its successful semi-annual clothing drive that mixes gallons of volunteerism, a hefty amount of enthusiasm and a fondness for hard work.
In the past, the committee has conducted a Fall Coat and Warm Clothing Drive, seeking warm clothing as well as business attire to assist recipients seeking employment. The spring clothing drive focuses on children’s apparel and diapers. The items are donated to local shelters and programs such as The Salvation Army, The Star of Hope, Covenant House, Dress for Success, and the Judge Eckels’ “Suits for Santa” drive.
The committee depends on its members to solicit donations, pick up and deliver the contributions to the HBA offices, where committee members sort the apparel by age and gender in preparation for pick up by the various organizations and shelters.
The committee, not limited to its prior commitments, may elect to devote its time to food drives or provide assistance as the members deem appropriate.
This year, for instance, the committee was presented with a novel challenge. Even before the committee’s first meeting, Hurricane Katrina came knocking and the word “homeless” acquired a new meaning. In addition to its focus and commitment to assist local residents, the Campaign for the Homeless was asked to help those displaced from their homes by Katrina and in dire need of “the basics.” Still planning to stage its Fall Coat and Warm Clothing Drive, the Committee mobilized its members to immediately begin collecting all types of clothing and personal items to aid those affected by Katrina. With its past successes in running this type of drive, the committee was the logical choice to call upon to move into action quickly.
At the request of HBA President Randall O. Sorrels, the committee spread its wings further. Tommy and Ruth rolled up their sleeves to secure and provide assistance to a partnered effort with Channel 2 and the Houston Rockets for Toyota Center’s HopeFest. When the call went out to committee members and others in the legal community, the response was absolute. From solo lawyers to big firms, the desire to help was passionately obvious. HBA and HYLA volunteers joined forces with other organizations to as-sist in gathering, sorting and distributing huge quantities of donated clothes, packages of diapers and other desperately needed items, while the HVLP and its volunteers were enlisted to respond to the numerous legal questions posed by evacuees. The picture was marvelous; with hurried, but effective mobilization, the legal community enthusiastically provided both strong backs and legal services simultaneously.
Lawyers, who are often the brunt of jokes, proved that at the end of the day we are all neighbors helping neighbors. Tragedy happens, a call for help is issued, and the legal community responds. This is the soul of volunteerism and the Campaign for the Home-ess Committee. The recipients’ reaction was unmistakably one of appreciation, and those who provided donations, time and energy were amply rewarded by the smiles and gratitude from those in need.
Mark your calendar now for the Spring Children’s Clothing and Diaper Drive, scheduled for April 10-14, 2006!

Ruth Shapiro is a litigator at Schirrmeister Diaz-Arrastia Brem LLP.
Tommy Proctor is a solo mediator and arbitrator, and the treasurer of the HBA. They are co-chairs of the Campaign for the Homeless Committee.

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