Join Chain | Cohn | Clark to give back this holiday season, and throughout the year

This time of the year, one can’t help but think about life’s blessings, and perhaps also keep in mind those less fortunate, and those in need. It’s no wonder our nation sees the most charitable giving of the year during the holiday season.

For Bakersfield-based injury and accident law firm Chain | Cohn | Clark, the holiday season is not the only time of year for giving. In 2016, the law firm and its partners and attorneys supported dozens of worthy causes, nonprofits and charitable organizations throughout Bakersfield.

Why? Kern County is the hometown for nearly all of the attorneys and staff.

“It’s important to give back, support, and help our neighbors in need,” said managing partner David Cohn.

As we enter the holidays and near the New Year, Chain | Cohn | Clark would like to recommend local causes and nonprofits you may consider supporting, as well as provide some giving tips, courtesy of Charity Navigator.

Kern County Giving

Here are just a few of the causes Chain | Cohn | Clark donated toward in 2016, and you can, too. For a full list of causes supported by the law firm, visit our “Community” page.

• Fog Run: The annual Fog Run by the Probation Auxiliary County of Kern will takes place in 2017 on Jan. 7, at Lake Ming and benefits local victims of violent crimes, and to help at-risk youth turn their lives around.
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Kern County: Chain | Cohn | Clark is a major sponsors and organizer of the group’s annual Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash 5K, aimed to raise awareness in our community of the effect of drinking and driving, raise funds to stop drunken driving and underage drinking locally, and provide support to victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes.
• Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: The law firm sponsors several Hispanic chamber events throughout the year, which support local businesses, bring cultural awareness, and raise funds for scholarships, among other things.
• Brain Injury Association of California: The annual Walk for Brain Injury aims to raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries throughout Bakersfield and Kern County.
• Philippine Weekend: The annual cultural celebration in Delano highlights history and the heritage of the Philippines, and raises funds for causes in Delano. Attorney James Yoro, who is of Filipino descent, participates each year in weekend activities.
• Bakersfield Museum of Art: Year-round, Chain | Cohn | Clark supports the local art museum and its educational programs.
• Bike Bakersfield: The law firm partners with this bicycle advocacy group each year to try to make our roads safer for drivers and bicyclists alike. Last year, the law firm donated hundreds of safety helmets to local residents. This year, the law firm donated bicycle lights to be handed out for free to local bicyclists.
• San Joaquin Community Hospital Burn Center: For years, the firm has supported the center that provides care to local burn victims.
• California Highway Patrol CHiPs for Tips: The fundraiser supports the California Association of Highway Patrolmen Widows and Orphans Trust Fund, which goes toward to families when a loved one is killed in or off the line of duty.
• CSU Bakersfield Alumni Association: The association’s annual event raises funds for alumni scholarships, membership outreach, and mentoring opportunities for current CSUB students. Attorneys Beatriz Trejo and Chad Boyles are alumni of CSUB, and Boyles is a member of the alumni association’s board of directors.
• Bakersfield Active 20-30 Club: The local group of young philanthropists organizes several events that support local children’s charities, including Christmas Experience for families in need, and Childspree back-to-school shopping.
• National Center for Victims of Crime: This group aims to empower crime victims, and helps them fight against these crimes in civil court.
• India Association of San Joaquin Valley: This association helps support the local Indian community and causes.

Giving Tips

• Before you give to any charity, examine the charity’s finances. Make sure the group is a financially healthy organization, sustainable, accountable and transparent. Look for signs of effectiveness. The charity’s ability to bring about meaningful change is the key reason for their existence and for your donation. These websites will help you check on your charity:
  • GuideStar
  • Better Business Bureau’s Start With Trust
  • Charity Navigator
  • Great Nonprofits
• Give to an organization that matches your beliefs and goals. There is a charity out there that matches your intentions. Take the time to find it and confirm it offers the programs and services that match your charitable interests.
• Take the time to research your charity so that you can trust them, and then give an unrestricted gift so the charity has the flexibility to respond to changing demands for its services and to spend the money where it is most needed to continue their day-to-day good work. Don’t put strings on your gift.
• If you gave earlier in the year to an organization helping in a disaster, go back to that organization and give more. Much of the need from any disaster comes later, during the recovery period.
• Giving before the year’s end can get you a tax break. Check with your tax planner to see if you’ll benefit.