Supporting Local Businesses
Helping to support our small local businesses has been crucial throughout the current pandemic. With changing COVID restrictions, local businesses are among some of those that have been impacted the hardest. As we continue to move through this difficult time, opting to purchase a gift, your morning coffee, or weeknight dinner from a small local business can really make a positive impact! Here is some of the Potter Burnett Law team supporting our local businesses.
Laundromat Love Challenge
Potter Burnett Law donated $1,500 to laundromats throughout our local communities to spread some cheer during the holiday season! Watch our video to learn more about our Laundromat Love Challenge.
#GivingTuesday 2020
This #GivingTuesday, our Pride made the decision to support four different causes that are very near and dear to our hearts.
Below you’ll find more information about each organization, including where to donate if you’d like to join us in supporting these critical programs!
1. Anne Arundel County CASA, Inc.: CASA believes every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school, and in our community. CASA educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure each child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system.
Donate to Anne Arundel County CASA
2. Stand Up & Deliver serving PG County through United Way: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 62% of our County’s public school children received free and reduced lunch. Since this pandemic began, more than 90,000 residents have been laid off from work. This program helps to meet many of the daily needs of our families, first responders, and medical personnel on the front lines fighting this pandemic.
Donate to Stand Up and Deliver
3. GMBC Cancer Center: After the passing of the Honorable Alexandra N. Williams, our Pride, along with other Maryland State Bar Association – MSBA members, made a donation in her memory to the GBMC Sandra & Malcom Berman Cancer Institute. Donations allow the institute to support a significantly large number of cancer patients in need each year as well as the team who works tirelessly to keep patients safe at all times.
4. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Join us in supporting breakthrough cancer research and innovation. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center team is committed to ensuring that people with cancer have access to lifesaving care and research – and donor support makes it possible.
Donate to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Lights on the Bay
Lights on the Bay is celebrating its 26th year, and the 100th anniversary of the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. The event officially opened for the season on Friday and will be open nightly from 5 – 10 pm through January 2nd.
Potter Burnett Law is excited to be able to sponsor LIGHTS ON THE BAY as it’s one of our favorite annual holiday events!
All proceeds support the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, so make sure to go out and experience this exciting, and socially distant drive-through event before the season is over.
2020 CASAblanca At Home Gala
Last weekend, Anne Arundel County CASA, Inc. hosted the 2020 CASAblanca At Home Gala. This virtual event was a great way to participate safely by celebrating at home.
Potter Burnett Law was happy to be able to support CASA and their ongoing mission again this year as an event sponsor!
Young Pharaohs Mentoring Academy
The Young Pharaohs Mentoring Academy Inc is an organization that focuses on improving the lives of young men in the community through character building, leadership, brotherhood, trust, respect, literacy, arts, athletics, and service.
By donating, you are helping to provide direct financial assistance critical to the continuation and growth of driving their mission forward. If you would like to donate to this mission, download the form here.
Prince George’s County Maryland Local 911 Call Center
911 Operators are often overlooked but are truly unsung heroes who keep our friends, family, and community safe. Potter Burnett Law is proud to support our local 911 call center by donating a much-needed freezer to their headquarters.
When we asked how we could help, they told us that their employees work long 12 hours shifts and do not have long breaks to leave headquarters for meals, so a freezer for the staff was badly needed.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Our Pride believes in supporting our community however we can. With schools moving virtual and community programs becoming suspended, there is a large need for nutritional food for students in need. Because of this identified need, we have reached out to support the Weekend Food Program through the Anne Arundel Bar Association.
The Weekend Food Program provides nutritional food and snacks to Anne Arundel County Public School (AACPS) students who lack sufficient food at home over the weekend. The Weekend Food Programs are organized by volunteers and staff at individual schools and supported entirely by donations. The students in need are identified by the school staff. Students in the program receive a bag or backpack full of food items every Friday during the school year.
Maryland Youth & the Law
Debbie Potter spoke at the MDyouthlaw event; Trials and Tribulations – In, On, & Off the Court. Since 1975, Maryland Youth & the Law (MYLAW) has been teaching youth about the law and legal system and helping to foster an appreciation for the American Judicial System.
MYLAW is building the next generation of civic-minded citizens through unique programs and experiences that hone important life skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Mock Trial, Law Links, Teen Court, City Council Page Program, and other initiatives, help prepare youth for college and career pathways.
Smithsonian Institution-National Zoological Park
The firm recently adopted an African Lion to support friends of the National Zoo and help the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to help play an integral role in saving this majestic species. The African Lion is sadly listed as, “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The rapid decline in the African Lion Population is significantly impacted by human conflict and habitat loss.
Proceeds from the program fund animal care and conservation for the African Lions, as well as the more than 2,000 other animals that live in the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation and Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.
Potter Burnett enjoys playing an active role in supporting wildlife conservation initiatives at the National Zoo. They take part in the Zoo’s many educational programs and special events and are excited to visit their Adopted African Lion, often.
Maryland CASA
In 1993, Deborah Potter and a handful of other local attorneys recognized the need for a CASA program in Anne Arundel County. With the support from the local Bar Association, the Circuit Court, and the Department of Social Services, Anne Arundel County CASA, Inc. (AACCASA) was incorporated. AACCASA began serving children in July 1997. With a small staff of six professionals, CASA relies on volunteers to achieve its mission. Since its inception, over 500 exceptional CASA volunteers have worked diligently to improve the lives of the children in need in our community. CASA’s dedicated volunteers contribute over 9,000 hours of their time annually to help these children who are unable to help themselves.
The firm is actively involved with continuous efforts to ensure Maryland’s children have safe and permanent homes. In 2016, Deborah Potter was awarded the Corporate Commitment Award to recognize her years of service and support with Anne Arundel County CASA. Suzanne Burnett currently serves on the Gala committee and focuses on fundraising for the organization. Potter Burnett is committed to helping the CASA children find a voice and get the attention they need and deserve.
Young Patrons of Maryland Hall
Suzanne Burnett is a founding member of the Young Patrons of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. This is a culturally interested group of active professionals who support the institutional advancement of Maryland Hall.
Potter Burnett is dedicated to increasing public interest in and awareness of Maryland Hall and its mission to provide lifelong, accessible engagement in the arts. Maryland Hall is Maryland’s leading arts campus where people of all ages can discover the transformative power of the arts. Since 1979, Maryland Hall has been the community’s gathering place to hold year-round classes, performances, exhibits, tours, workshops, and demonstrations.
Potter Burnett serves as art advocates in their community and their contribution and investment in Maryland Hall provide vital operating funds to keep Maryland Hall’s programs thriving and growing.
University of Maryland Terrapin Club Victory Circle
Deborah Potter was recently inducted into The University of Maryland Terrapin Club Victory Circle!
The Victory Circle recognizes those who play an active support role for the University of Maryland student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence as they strive to be the very best in collegiate athletics. The Terrapin Club is the fundraising arm for Maryland Athletics, providing opportunities for alumni, friends, and other individuals or groups to support the Terrapins.
The Terrapin Club’s mission is to fully fund the student-athlete experience by providing the resources necessary for over 500 student-athletes to succeed at the highest level in the classroom, in competition, and in the community.
University of Maryland Terrapin Club
The mission of the Maryland athletic program is to educate, develop, and serve student-athletes through a culture of academic and athletic excellence. Through athletics, students develop values and skills that prepare them for life. The combination of a University of Maryland world-class educational and athletic experience is fundamental to a student’s development. This mission is carried out in many ways including funding scholarships for Maryland students through the Terrapin Club. Deborah Potter formerly served as the first female President of the University of Maryland Terrapin Club and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of Maryland College Park.
United States Naval Academy’s Sponsor Program
Potter Burnett is a proud sponsor of the Naval Academy’s Sponsor Program. The Sponsor Program offers members of the Annapolis community an opportunity to meet Midshipmen and to learn more about the Naval Academy. It also provides Midshipmen an opportunity to develop and benefit from informal exchanges with civilian and military members in Annapolis and its adjacent communities. Deborah Potter and Andrew and Suzanne Burnett are sponsors who provide a “home-away-from-home” for the midshipman.
