Dear Friends,

As many of you know, I am beginning my year as Chair of the board for Public Counsel. It is an organization and a cause that I care deeply about.

Public Counsel is the largest provider of pro bono legal services in the United States. It delivers justice, hope, and opportunity to our communities' most vulnerable residents, whether that be protecting a child refugee facing danger, helping a senior save their home, or ensuring that a veteran receives the benefits they deserve. It creates transformative change through innovative litigation and policy advocacy, like advancing the right to literacy in federal and state courts and ensuring that foster youth receive the housing, services, and support they need to thrive.

This time of year brings back so many memories. My parents were married on Thanksgiving, so it was always an extra special holiday, and being thankful and giving to others was a big part of my upbringing. Tzedakah is a very important pillar of the Jewish faith—giving to others. One of my favorite movies, “Fiddler on the Roof,” demonstrates the Jewish belief that one must give even if you are poor as there is always someone less fortunate than you. Tzedakah and the saying my parents instilled in me, “If you do well, you must do good,” are values deeply rooted in me.

Public Counsel is participating in Giving Tuesday—a global day of generosity and hope. I would appreciate your support to help Public Counsel reach its goal of raising $160,000 to support equal justice and my personal goal of raising $10,000. Will you help us reach our goals? A donation of any amount will help!

This Thanksgiving season, I humbly ask you to consider giving to justice through Public Counsel. I will be enjoying memories of my parents and Thanksgivings past, sharing fellowship and making new memories with my family and friends, and carrying on the Phillips family tradition of tzedakah.

Warm hugs,

Stacy