(SAN FRANCISCO, October 8, 2013) — Reed Smith’s San Francisco office has officially kicked off its 2013 “Koko Challenge” to raise funds for the United Way of the Bay Area (UWBA) and its 26th Annual Koko Campaign.
The Koko Challenge was created 26 years ago to offer Bay Area attorneys a direct link to local health and human service philanthropy through an enhanced partnership with United Way. Since that time, more than 50 Bay Area law firms have contributed nearly $29 million to Bay Area nonprofits through the annual event.
“To truly achieve our goal to cut Bay Area poverty in half by 2020, we need leaders from every sector of the community engaged,” said Anne Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, UWBA. “We are honored to have the foremost legal minds in our region committed to the cause; together, we know that reducing poverty is possible.”
Decided independently by the Bay Area General Counsel (BAGC) Group, honors are given to firms and individuals for running the strongest UWBA campaigns. Besides the number of dollars raised, judges consider a variety of factors, including employee participation, volunteerism and the creativity of the drive.
Instead of statuettes, each winner receives, for one year, a large stuffed toy gorilla based on Koko, the famous female gorilla who learned sign language and had her own pet cat. The “Big Koko” is given to firms that have more than 100 attorneys.
Reed Smith, which now has the third largest law firm office in San Francisco, won the Big Koko Award in 2011, when area firms, together, raised more than $1.6 million.
In 2009, Reed Smith was also honored with the “Rookie of the Year Award,” receiving kudos for its enthusiasm, energy and raising, among other funds, nearly $80,000 during a lightning-quick holiday charity drive.
The Koko Challenge is among the most intensive, and fun, annual events at Reed Smith’s office in The City. Numerous events are planned over the next three months, such as hallway miniature golf, wine tasting, bake sales and karaoke contests. Different floors will also compete against each other in collecting spare change, and employees may purchase coupons to allowing them to wear blue jeans to work. Other activities include the firm’s Back-to-School drive, a “Dress to Impress” clothing drive, and partnering with local companies to send volunteers to various projects throughout the Bay Area during the “Week of Caring” from September 16- 21.
Additionally, as part of the Koko Challenge campaign, Reed Smith personnel may direct their donations to the not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) charities of their choice through the UWBA.
“Our fantastic staff and attorneys raised nearly $100,000 during the 2012 Koko Campaign, and we are pulling out all the stops in our drive to get Big Koko back for another year,” said San Francisco office managing partner, Ray Cardozo. “Most importantly, we are pleased to unite with our friends and colleagues in building a healthier Bay Area community.”
Reed Smith is also winner of the 2012 Koko Challenge Video Contest. Watch an interview with “Big Koko,” in which she discusses with partner David Thompson her year at the firm, as well as the importance of this fundraiser and the camaraderie it inspires.
To learn more about UWBA’s Roadmap to Cut Poverty, please visit uwba.org/roadmap.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,800 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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