New Orleans Paralegal Association Volunteers at the

Ronald McDonald House

Christal Hurst, NOPA’s Community and Pro Bono Coordinator, Lera Toups, Ronald McDonald, Jennifer King and Corey Staehle, Ronald McDonald’s Representative

The New Orleans Paralegal Association

The New Orleans Paralegal Association (NOPA) was established in 1978 and is dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession in the New Orleans area.

NOPA’s paralegals volunteer for agencies such as The Pro Bono Project, the Self-Help Resource Center (SHRC) Project at New Orleans Civil District Court, The Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana and Aids Law in providing volunteers to assist with pro bono law projects.

National Paralegal Service Month in October

Along with seven other paralegal associations in Region II of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, New Orleans Paralegals volunteered at Ronald McDonald Houses across the United States.

The New Orleans Paralegal Association choose Halloween day and some of us wore costumes – of course!

Becky Rolland, NOPA’s President, unpacking supplies

Why Help Ronald Mc Donald House ?

Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit organization that provides comfort and care by being a home-away-from-home for families of serious ill children who are receiving treatment at local hospitals; and by making grants to other organizations that help families and children.

NOPA Cooks Dinner

Imagine if you spent all day at the hospital with your child only to then have to wonder what you are going to do for dinner. Now imagine eating out of vending machines or hospital cafeterias for every meal. Wouldn’t you rather come home to a hot meal? On October 31, NOPA volunteers cooked meals for the families (30-40 people) who stay at the Ronald McDonald House while his or her child is being treated.

Chefs Christal Hurst and Jennifer King Chicken, potatoes and pesto pasta – Yum!

Utilizing those Paralegal Organizational Skills

NOPA paralegals also volunteered to assist with light cleaning, and organizing the toy room, pantry and linen closets. By donating just a few hours of their time, volunteers helped save Ronald McDonald House’s non-profit funds for better use.

“Angel” Lera Toups, organizes the linen closet

The paralegals who could not participate by cooking or cleaning on the day of service, October 31, volunteered by making bags of candy or by dropping off donations to the Ronald McDonald House.

The Sweeter Side of Giving

What would Halloween be without the candy?

Please Vote for the New Orleans Paralegal Association

It is NOPA’s Second Year participating in the Super Service Challenge. In 2012, paralegals worked within our existing pro bono program to provide legal assistance, however this year we expanded to include community service outside of the legal community.

NOPA is a proud partner of Companies with A Mission and believes that by having its paralegals work towards a goal that has a direct impact in effecting positive change, we have encouraged “a heart of service” in our members.

Ronald McDonald House does a great service to the community and by casting your vote for NOPA, you will help us win much needed funding for their daily supplies. NOPA plans on fostering an ongoing relationship by collecting items at our general membership meetings and volunteering every year!

Ronald McDonald House Appreciates Funding and/or Donations of the Following Items:

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: K-Cups (coffee and tea) for Keurig Brewer Taxi vouchers and/or bus passes Plastic containers Shower curtain liners Bathmats Individually wrapped snack food items

(crackers, chips, nuts, etc.) FOOD ITEMS

Target Gift Card Cake and cookie mix Canned tuna and meats Boxed pasta dinners and complete meals –

individual serving sizes Quick fix foods – individual serving sizes Frozen foods, including meats – individual

serving sizes Frozen vegetables Chunky style soup Bottled juice Individual packs of cereal, oatmeal & grits Bottled water

GUEST PERSONAL ITEMSTooth pastDental flossUmbrellasSizes 3, 4, and 5 DiapersHOUSEHOLD ITEMSPaper plates and plastic or foam bowlsPaper towels and paper napkinsToilet tissuePlastic spoonsBleachClorox WipesZiploc bags, particularly gallon-sizedPlastic wrapAluminum foilAnti-bacterial hand soapLight bulbsMagic ErasersLaundry powderDishwasher detergentPostage Stamps