Law firm discovers school neighbor

Memminger Elementary needed 280 sharpened pencils, 140 water bottles, yogurt and peppermints for the upcoming PACT test. The school wanted to put on a science fair later this month

and needed display boards and ribbons for the winners. The administration wanted to recognize its volunteers for their hard work this year with a picnic. And there was something else Memminger was in dire need of.

"One thing we were in desperate need of is a (public addess) system, because sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't," said Principal Diane Ross.

The answer to their prayers was right down the street, less than half a mile away.

Ric Tapp, one of the litigation partners at Nexsen Pruet, told student support specialist Leah Hambright and Memminger's parent educator Maurice Johnson that he thought people who worked at his firm would be interested in helping the elementary school reach some of its educational goals. Johnson and Hambright put together a successful presentation for several lawyers, and about a week later, they had everything on the wish list.

"When these two gave their presentation... we had seasoned lawyers in tears," said Chris Ogiba, a lawyer at the firm.

Several of the employees donated large chunks of their own money to cover items. For instance, one donated $900 for the principals' picnic, volunteer reception and the PACT supplies. Another bought $5 and $10 gift cards from Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Piggly Wiggly and other places. The gift cards are used as incentives, especially while students practice for PACT. Immediately after the presentation, two lawyers pledged money for the science display boards.

To raise the $1,800 for the portable public address system, the firm organized a raffle. The system will arrive in about a week.

"Amazingly, we got everything we asked for. If we'd known that, we would have asked for more." Ross said, laughing.

Johnson said such generous donations serve as examples that Memminger's adopted adage, "It takes a village to raise a child," ring true.

"I'm a product of District 20 and of poverty, and it really bothers me when these kids are kind of considered underdogs," he said.

Ogiba said many of his co-workers didn't know that Memminger was such a close neighbor, but now he feels the relationship between the school and the firm will only strengthen.

"Everyone [at the firm] wanted to make sure this is just the beginning," he said. "We're in it for the long haul. ... We're neighbors."