Justinians go to bat for kids in need

The Justinian Society of Lawyers held its 20th annual Children’s Endowment Fund grant reception on March 17 at Lux Bar in Chicago. Justinian First Vice President Bruno Marasso and Endowment Fund Chairman Frank Sommario presented $10,000 CEF grants to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and to CASA Kane County at the event. On hand to accept the donations were Anthonia Warren of Lurie and Gloria Kelley and Amy Deaschler of CASA. Additional donations were made to both causes by Justinians and by guests who attended the event.

“The Justinian Society is fervent in continuing to give back to our community, and we thank all members who have contributed,” Marasso said.

The Children’s Endowment Fund and the Scholarship Fund comprise the Justinian Endowment Fund, which is the charitable arm of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. The two funds contain $195,000 and $137,000, respectively, thanks in part to money raised at last year’s centennial gala. The CEF is also fueled by a generous annual donation from Joseph Feinberg and the Feinberg Foundation.

The mission of the CEF is to assist disabled or disadvantaged children in the Chicago area. Established in 2002 during the presidency of Antonio Romanucci, the fund has benefited a wide range of causes, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Bear Necessities, the Ronald McDonald House of Chicagoland, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Reflections Foundation, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Child’s Voice and the Maryville Academy Children’s Healthcare Center.

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