Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts Chosen for 2007 Catalogue for Philanthropy

Contact

Jonathan Mannina, Executive Director

Phone: (508) 752-3718

Email: jmannina@laccm.org 

 

Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts has been selected for listing in the 2007 prestigious Massachusetts Catalogue for Philanthropy. This year 390 charities applied for new listings, and 54 were selected, as “examples of excellence” in all fields of Massachusetts philanthropy—the environment, culture, human services and international. According to George McCully, President of the Catalogue, “Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts was chosen because they are a great example of ‘private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of life’ in Massachusetts, and because they are both excellent and cost-effective. We urge donors, especially in the Worcester area, to consider adding Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts to their giving list this year.” 

 

The purpose of the Catalogue, now in its 11th year of annual publication, is “to strengthen the culture of philanthropy in Massachusetts…through donor education….” “The Catalogue is designed as a showcase for Massachusetts philanthropy,” McCully said, “and a one-stop shop for a family’s charitable giving. A single check, electronic transaction over the web, or stock transfer, can be allocated to as many charities as the donor pleases, and because the Catalogue is paid for by its philanthropic sponsors, 100% of every donation goes to the designated charities or fields of philanthropy.” This year it is mailed to 120,000 homes statewide, and is available to everyone on the web, at www.cfp-ma.org. 

 

Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts is the state-funded civil legal aid program for Central Massachusetts. LACCM provides free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of Worcester County. With over twenty advocates, LACCM specializes in elder law, government benefits, eviction defense, housing and employment discrimination, and family law matters affecting domestic violence victims.

 

Once again this year, the day after Thanksgiving was declared “Giving Massachusetts Day.” In a proclamation, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick urged all citizens and families to respond generously to the annual year-end appeals they have received from charities. From 1997 to 2005, charitable giving in Massachusetts has more than doubled, from about $2 billion to $4.4 billion—a record high for the state.