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When Long Island Cares approached Cona Elder Law, elder law firm in Melville, to contribute holiday gifts to a displaced family of five in Lindenhurst due to Hurricane Sandy, the firm’s employees enthusiastically began their collection efforts. Cona Elder Law staff members contributed over $400 worth of grocery store and other gift cards as well as specific items on the wish list for the family with three children that included sweatshirts, pajamas, gloves, board games, art supplies, a pocketbook and more.
The Sandy holiday program is spearheaded by FEGS, one of the nation’s largest and most diversified health and human services organizations, who partnered with LI Cares and other LI organizations for this effort. “We are delighted that we could grant over 1,800 gifts this holiday season to so many families who are still displaced or need major home repairs,” says Gail Warrack, coordinator, volunteer services, FEGS.
During the holidays, Cona Elder Law traditionally helps a family in need in lieu of inter office gift-giving. “Making a difference to the less fortunate is an important part of the firm’s culture and philosophy,” explains Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq., partner, Cona Elder Law. “We are excited and motivated to help the family in need have a good holiday.”
Along with many other community and charitable activities throughout the year, Cona Elder Law sponsors a family for the holidays, personally handling the shopping and gift wrapping of the items on a needy family’s wish list. Cona Elder Law has also raised money to donate to The Little Shelter, an animal rescue and adoption center in Huntington and participate in Midnight Run in Manhattan where they collect and hand-deliver food and clothing to the homeless.
In keeping with their charitable goals, Jennifer Cona, Esq., managing partner of the firm, started a nonprofit organization called Cona Elder Law Charitable Events which raises money and awareness for various local Long Island causes. Under this auspice, Cona Elder Law began the Senior Dreams Come True program, which helps low-income seniors by securing goods or items to help a senior meet day-to-day needs or to fulfill a life long wish.
In February, Cona Elder Law employees will be volunteering at a soup kitchen in Hempstead through the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN). Cona Elder Law staff also participated in the American Heart Association Walk and the MS Walk. Three attorneys have boxed in the LI Fight for Charity, an event which the firm has sponsored.
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Along with their other innovative programs, FEGS has responded to the needs of over 400 Sandy victims since the disaster with an integrated and comprehensive recovery effort supported by public and private funding. Currently, they deploy a team of more than 40 disaster case managers, construction navigators, mental health counselors and volunteer coordinators on Long Island.
Cona Elder Law is recognized as a leading elder law and estate planning firm on Long Island. The firm was ranked the #1 Elder Law firm by Long Island Business News in 2012 and 2013. The firm provides creative advocacy and cutting edge planning strategies and has been featured in many publications including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsday, L.I. Business News, Kiplinger’s, Reader's Digest and many others. Cona Elder Law attorneys are frequent contributors to Newsday’s Act II “Ask the Expert” column and have appeared as guests on WNBC-TV, CNN-fn, News 12, News 55, Channel 21 "Act II With Newsday" and many others.
