hcBa pro Bono rivEr run – answEring thE call
5K Pro Bono River Run Committee
Chairs:JudgeJohnConradandJudgeMiriamValkenburg–ThirteenthJudicialCircuit
R
unners, Take Your
Mark. Get Set. STOP!
O.K. We know what
you’re thinking. Of
course, the next word should be GO.
Well, just relax a minute, and let’s
review why the 12th Annual HCBA
Pro Bono River Run is not just a
typical race. Yes, there’s the chance
to come in first place in your age
group, set a PR (Personal Record),
burn off some early morning calories,
and chow down the rest of the day.
But the Pro Bono Run offers
runners all of that and the chance
to do real good in our community.
The Pro Bono River Run was
established to address the need of
those facing difficult challenges
through involvement in the legal
system without the resources to
hire private counsel, by requiring
race participants to pledge pro
bono hours when they register.
The participants then perform the
pledged hours in the year following
the Run. This pro bono service is
invaluable in ensuring everyone has
equal access to our judicial system.
As a result of the previous Pro
Bono Run held on April 13, 2019,
participants pledged a total of
2,137 pro bono hours. Since the
inception of the Run, participants
have performed almost 18,000
hours of pro bono service, assisting
the indigent in our community. 1
No other race gives you the
personal satisfaction that comes
20
since the inception of the run, participants have
performed almost 18,000 hours of pro bono service,
assisting the indigent in our community.
from helping others who need your
time, talent, and ability to resolve
legal matters that dramatically
affect their daily lives.
Next year’s Run will be held on
Saturday, February 29, 2020,
beginning at 10:30 a.m. The
route will again be along the Tampa
Riverwalk, beginning and ending at
Water Works Park (out and back).
Last year was the first time we
used the Riverwalk, and the overall
feedback was very positive. The
race will also be chip-timed for the
competitive at heart. In order to
encourage our goal of supporting
pro bono service, we will be offering
a reduced registration fee again of
$25 for every runner who pledges
at least 25 hours of pro bono service.
After you finish the Run, you can
enjoy a post-race celebration at
the Judicial Food Festival (formerly
Pig Roast) at Stetson University’s
Tampa Law Center. This event
is free to HCBA members and
their families and guests. Online
registration will open on November 4
at www.hillsbar.com.
So, before we say GO, please
take a moment to envision yourself
at the starting line of the Pro Bono
River Run on February 29, 2020.
You are there with a few hundred
other people waiting for the horn
to sound the beginning of the race.
We hope it will be a beautiful day
and we know it’s at a beautiful
location. But before you take that
first step, enjoy the satisfaction of
knowing that in the year ahead,
you will make a difference in the
lives of others who may have never
come your way, except for this Run.
It is a noble cause that makes our
profession noble. On behalf of
our committee, we thank you in
advance for participating in the
12th Annual Pro Bono River Run
and for answering this call to
service... NOW GO! n
An amazing list of pro bono
opportunities is available on the 13th
Judicial Circuit website at http://www.
fljud13.org/Portals/0/Forms/pdfs/
Pro_Bono_Opportunities_HillsCty.pdf
1
Authors: Judge John Conrad and
Judge Miriam Valkenburg –
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
NOV - DEC 2019
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HCBA LAWYER