Public Service

Life Changing Experiences for Children and Families

Several years ago we determined that in addition to participating in bar association, paralegal association fundraisers, and other law-related volunteer projects and product drives, we would focus our community involvement on projects that have a positive impact on Colorado’s children—whether to help them live healthy lives, learn to read, survive a life-threatening illness, develop job skills, gain financial literacy skills, or enjoy a happy Christmas—we are committed to them.

Our dedication to children has grown from the care and compassion our attorneys, staff, and even clients express about their own families. In many cases, the organizations we support have helped our immediate communities or those who are closest to us. What could be more motivating?

We have chosen the goal of improving children’s lives as an integral piece of our firm’s mission, and we are proud to highlight the following efforts of compassion.

The Rise School of Denver

 
Messner & Reeves attorneys participated in the founding of The Rise School, and for the past six years the firm has been an organizing force and title sponsor for the Annual Rise & Shine Golf Tournament, from which 100 percent of proceeds benefit the Rise School of Denver. The firm also provides pro bono legal services to The Rise School, a non-profit preschool, which focuses specifically on the needs of toddlers and preschoolers with Down Syndrome and other developmental differences.  

Arrupe Jesuit High School

The firm sponsors the tuition of one or two students in the Work Study Project during the school year. The students work at the firm assisting our attorneys and staff with clerical and administrative tasks. These young people have an interest in law, gain genuine, hands-on experience, and end the program with a clearer sense of a career direction.

The Children’s Hospital Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

 
Messner & Reeves has sponsored The Children’s Hospital Holiday Card Project since 2005.  Each year, the Cancer Center Chapter of the Association of Volunteers holds an art contest for current and former cancer patients. A judges’ panel chooses artists' work to become that season's holiday cards. Each selected young artist receives a cash prize and a plaque. Proceeds from holiday card sales support the purchase of items to improve the quality of patient care, such as monitoring devices, exercise equipment and teaching aids and to support further laboratory research.  

Holiday Outreach

Each year, in sharing the holiday spirit we conduct a toy and clothing drive for the homeless and families in need. Attorneys and staff bring in gifts and gather to wrap them. They also collect clothing and blankets to distribute to the homeless through one of local charitable partners.

Operation Frontline

 
Messner & Reeves supports Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline, a groundbreaking nutrition education program that teaches low-income families how to get the most nutrition out of a limited budget. In addition to our financial support, a senior associate at the firm serves as a member of the Operation Frontline Advisory Board.

Mount Saint Vincent Home

 
Messner & Reeves sponsors the athletic program at Mount Saint Vincent Children’s Home. Mount Saint Vincent provides services and programs for children with a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems that are preventing them from functioning to their full potential at home, in the community, or in school. Mount Saint Vincent also provides programs, services, classes, and other support for the family. Members of the firm volunteer their time assisting in MountSaintVincent’s efforts.

African American Leadership Institute

 
The firm contributes annually to the “Look Who’s Cooking Now” event, with proceeds benefiting leadership development and mentoring programs for youth as well as adults in the Denver area.

Goodwill Industries of Denver

A partner of the firm is an active voluntary board member of Goodwill Industries of Denver, serving for more than 14 years. Messner & Reeves supports Goodwill with volunteers on special projects and financially by funding Goodwill’s outreach efforts in the art program at West High School in Denver. The firm also participates as a sponsor in the annual Goodwill Golf Classic, the proceeds from which support Goodwill Industries’ School to Work Program and benefits more than 10,000 at-risk youth in 22 metro-Denver schools.

Young Americans Center for Financial Education

Consistent with the firm’s entrepreneurial spirit, and in appreciation of the importance of financial literacy, Messner & Reeves supports Young Americans and participates its Young AmeriTowne program. Young AmeriTowne is an award-winning educational program offered to Colorado’s 5th and 6th grade teachers to help teach students about business, economics and free enterprise in a fun and hands-on way.  Firm employees volunteer as adult supervisors during the Young AmeriTowne field trips.