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October 16, 2024

Director's Column

By Erica Costello; Associate Director Chief Counsel; Commission on Law and Aging

The PDF (including endnotes and footnotes) in which this article appears can be found here.

ABA Giving Day will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Coordinated by the ABA Fund for Justice in Education, Giving Day is a “fundraising extravaganza” to support the outstanding work of the association’s law-related public service, policy, education programs, including the Commission on Law and Aging (COLA). All ABA Giving Day donations are tax-deductible and 100% of donations go to the program of your choice.

ABA Giving Day provides us with an opportunity to shine a bright light on the important work that we are doing. For example, last year the Commission produced and provided more than three dozen programs to over 10,000 participants on topics including less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, abuse prevention, dementia and legal ethics, representing clients with diminished capacity, and many more.

Contributions made this year will also support training and resources for attorneys, judges, and consumers to better prevent and address adult abuse, including a new handbook for practitioners highlighting the various types of abuse, criminal and civil responses, and the services available to victims.

ABA Giving Day further helps the Commission to provide free resources and publications for lawyers, practitioners, and the public, including:

  • Bifocal, the Commission's bi-monthly journal, providing timely, valuable legal resources pertaining to older persons generated through the joint efforts of public and private bar groups and the aging network; and
  • Advocates of Aging, the Commission’s monthly podcast, with interviews and stories on topics related to law and aging, including best practice tips for professionals and career advice.

(You can learn more about our resources, podcasts, and various listservs for practitioners by visiting our website).

There are also incentives for people who donate to ABA Giving Day this year. Donations of $100 or more will be eligible to receive one pair of ABA Giving Day Socks. Donations made to the Commission of Law and Aging of $1200 or more will be eligible for the ABA President’s Club and will become a COLA Champion.

There are also funding challenges for the programs who receive the greatest number of unique donations or the most gifts from first time donors. The winners of these challenges will receive an additional $2500. So please consider donating the cost of your morning coffee to the Commission for ABA Giving Day—even if you have never made a donation before.

Every gift matters. Your generosity allows us to continue educating and advocating to protect the rights and dignity of adults as they age. You can contribute to ABA Giving Day and help support our on-going work by making a donation at the Commission’s ABA Giving Day website.

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