J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Derron Parks
President
John Walker-Turner
President-Elect
Bridgett A. Greer
Treasurer
ShaRon Kelsey
Recording Secretary
Nakia V. Gray
Corresponding Secretary
Sharon Deberry
Immediate Past President
Hon. Sharon V. Burrell
Executive Officer
William Snoddy
Executive Officer

COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF LEGAL EXCELLENCE, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND INCREASED MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW

Christmas in April 2009
Presented by J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association
with the Prince George's County Bar Association

On April 25, 2009, the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association participated in the Christmas in April program. We were assisted by members of the Prince George’s County Bar Association and the Gamma Pi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. This year we helped renovate the home of a senior in Capital Heights, MD who takes care of her 101 years-young mother and disabled son. The transformation of the home was amazing. The joy on the homeowners face was priceless. Volunteering and giving back to those in your community that are in need is a moral obligation. To whom much is given, much is expected. Thanks again to Maurene Epps-Webb for spearheading this event.

Christmas in April 2007
Presented by J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association
with the Prince George's County Bar Association

Once again Christmas in April was a resounding success! Members of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, the Prince George’s County Bar Association, and the general public came out on Saturday, April 28, 2007 and worked to enhance the habitability of the home of a widowed senior in Prince George’s County.

The volunteers pulled together and were able to clear brush from her yard, plant azaleas, cover an opening to the crawl space, paint, and install fixtures.

I want to personally thank our President, Abigale Bruce Watson (and her daughters Amanda and Ashley) , Erik Nyce, John Fredrickson, Dennis and Rhonda Whitley, Shondriette Kelley, William Snoddy, Tim Leahy, Lori Jemison, Nan Hainsey, the University of Maryland students and two new members’ whose names will be a mystery until next month (when I hopefully find the sign up list), for all of their hard work. I also thank the members of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar and the Prince George’s County Bar for their contribution toward
feeding us and purchasing mulch and landscape stones.

Rest assured that next year I will again be looking for you all to participate, so don’t ignore my calls! I guarantee that you’ll gain as much from the experience as the homeowner in need of your help.

Maurene Epps Webb
Co-Chair Community Service

Christmas in April is a non-denominational volunteer program that repairs the homes of senior citizens who are either low-income and/or physically challenged. It is an opportunity for us to give back to the community, to meet other professionals, and to spend time with family members. Please save the date.

2006:

JFB again cosponsored Christmas in April, a non-denominational volunteer program that repairs the homes of senior citizens who are either low-income and/or physically challenged. This year’s homeowner was Ms. Wade of Capitol Heights, MD. Volunteers were asked to arrive between 7:30-8:00 a.m. and to bring any cleaning, yard and painting supplies they could spare.

Not only did the Christmas in April program provide an opportunity for us to give back to the community in collaboration with other professionals whom we might never have met, but it also was an opportunity for some to spend time with family members and provided a valuable experience for our young people. Several attorneys brought teenage children who used the day to not only participate in a worthwhile project with their parents, but also to satisfy some of their community service requirements. First prize for family involvement goes to Past JFB President Debra M. Davis who brought her husband Chris, two daughters, a sister and a brother-in-law to help.

JFB members Colette Gresham, Shondriette Kelley and Dennis Whitley also worked tirelessly that day.

Mrs. Wade was very appreciative of our efforts and she told me that seeing all of us working so hard to help her had inspired her toin turn help others. A retired federal government worker, Mrs. Wade vowed to use her skills to give back to the community too. And isn’t that what it’s all about, giving back to the extent that you can?