In its 18th year, the law firm of Adams and Reese sponsored and produced a Starlight Ball for St. Tammany-based organization, STARC (Services, Training, Advocacy, Resources, Connection), with this year’s edition having the theme of “Beneath the Sea.” The event took place at St. Margaret Mary Gym in Slidell on Saturday, April 6th.
STARC, established 35 years ago, has helped thousands of disabled individuals maximize their potential as independent, contributing members of the community in St. Tammany, Washington, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes.
Every year at the ball, STARC members enjoy an evening of dining and dancing with friends and family. There is a court of a king and queen, and dukes and maids. The entire court is picked up and transported to the event by limo, and the court is recognized by all attending the event. They were escorted this year by several Adams and Reese attorneys, employees, and family members and friends.
The annual STARC Starlight Ball is coordinated by Adams and Reese employees Lisa Wallace and Nadine Pinell, and Adams and Reese Partner Don McKinney.
Adams and Reese employees and their family members who volunteered at the event include Nadine and Buddy Pinell; Lisa and Fred Wallace and their children, Robert and Rebecca; Bobby and Kelly Coker and their daughter, Macie; Gwyn and Randy Cassou; Dawn Guidry, John, Mallory and Anthony; Jane and Jim Macika; Sheila Trauth; Susan Jones; Dale Ziblich; Michelle and Melissa Breaux; Janine Millet; Becky Darby; Debbie Robin; Mark Freeman and friends, William and Chloe; Adams and Reese Partners Jane Raiford; Don McKinney and his son, Michael; Janis van Meerveld, and her sons, Andrew and Robert. The photography of the event was done by Adams and Reese employee Tommy Santora.
In addition to volunteering for the annual STARC Starlight Ball, Adams and Reese works with STARC for Christmas by accommodating three group homes in St. Tammany Parish at Christmas time to ensure they have all they need, including gifts, a tree and food, for their Christmas party.
STARC is a member of the Adams and Reese employee volunteer program, HUGS (Hope, Understanding, Giving, and Support), which was founded in 1988 and has since devoted financial resources and thousands of volunteer hours to offer assistance to those in need. Every year throughout Adams and Reese’s offices in its regional footprint, employees donate time and money to more than 100 community organizations in need.
Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with offices strategically located throughout the southern United States and Washington, DC. American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation's top law firms – “The Am Law 200.” The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the "NLJ 250" list of the nation's largest law firms.