Christmas is a wonderful time of year. Many of us get to spend time with family we don't get to see very often throughout the rest of the year. Christmas cards are sent reminding our nearest and dearest that they are in our thoughts. Many people are feeling joyous and excited. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the excitement the Christmas season holds for others. We must never forget how fortunate we are and do what we can to help those who are less fortunate. The young lawyer local affiliates around the state feel the same way, and it is my pleasure to share with you all of the wonderful programs these local affiliates do to give back and spread some Christmas cheer in their areas.

The Baton Rouge Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division (YLD) presents its Holiday Star program each Christmas, providing gifts to underprivileged children. The YLD receives names of children from various local agencies that focus primarily on families and/or children. The agencies submit a wish list for each child, and YLD members solicit monetary and direct sponsors from the Baton Rouge legal community. The gifts are delivered to the agencies, who then wrap and distribute the presents. Last year, the Holiday Star program helped approximately 1,000 children in the Baton Rouge area.

The Alexandria Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division delivers gifts to the children at Mother Hubbard (a local Headstart facility). The division sponsors a Christmas party for the children, with a special visit from Santa Claus. The children are able to have photographs taken with him. The children also present a short performance for Santa. Last year, the Mother Hubbard Program provided gifts for approximately 60 children.

The Shreveport Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division (YLD) adopted a pre-K class for this entire school year, which includes sponsoring parties for the students, among other projects. This month, the YLD sponsored a Christmas party for the children prior to their holiday vacation.

The Southwest Louisiana Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division presents its Holiday Helping Hands (HHH) project, providing Christmas gifts to underprivileged elementary school children in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. According to many school principals and counselors, this program is the only reason these children have a merry Christmas. Sponsors of the program have two choices: (1) directly sponsor a child, sponsors are provided with a child's wish list and do the shopping; or (2) donate money, sponsors donate money and HHH gives a child's wish list to HHH volunteer shoppers. The program begins in September of each year to ensure the schools have plenty of time to determine which children are in need. A few days before the schools begin the Christmas holidays, the gifts are delivered to the schools. The parents pick up the gifts at the schools so they can be wrapped and under the tree for Christmas. In 2010, more than $23,000 was raised to provide gifts to 210 children from 36 area schools.

Although all of the young lawyer affiliates continuously provide programs that benefit both their communities and local bar associations throughout the year, their Christmas programs hold a special place. If you are interested in participating in these programs, please contact your local young lawyer affiliate. Merry Christmas!