Members of the bar and community-minded people walked and ran to raise support for Legal Services of Northern California at this year's Valentine Run. Among the participants on race day were Ken Malovos, Vicki Jacobs of Voluntary Legal Services Program, Paul Starkey of the Department of Personnel Administration, Jonathan Lew and Ron Diedrich of the Office of Administrative Hearings, Justice Ronald Robie of the Third District Court of Appeal, Julia Bilaver of the Treasurer's Office, Karen Stevens of Karen, Pedersen & Stevens, Heather Cline Hoganson of the Gambling Control Commission, Tiffany Wright of Remy Thomas Moose & Manley, Tim Long of Orrick, Richard Gray from Littler Mendelson, Camille Shelton and Tina Poole of the Commission on State Mandates, and Nirav Desai and Jeff Galvin of Downey Brand. Many Downey Brand tee-shirts were in evidence at the run, and the "Kisses Booth" was a hit.

New this year was the "Lawyers with a Heart" competition. In the fastest male lawyer runner category, Matthew Post ran to victory. The fastest team was Team Boutin - Matthew Post and Robert Boutin.

Valentine Run 2006 benefits the teen and family services that Legal Services of Northern California provide to people living in low-income communities. At the heart of these services are legal aid advocates who work with communities to monitor and address socio-economic issues affecting low-income children. We work with community based organizations to promote green space, and safe after-school activities and centers. Our community economic development projects are resulting in more families realizing a healthy quality of life.

"Over the last 50 years, Legal Services of Northern California has developed a multifaceted approach to advocacy that puts the affected community at the center," says Gary F. Smith, Executive Director:

"Several years ago, our advocates began searching for a variety of ways we could bring economic stability to families. Now LSNC advocates specialize in health care advocacy, access to government benefits, safe homes, affordable housing, stable employment, consumer protection and appropriate educational opportunities for lowincome, ethnic, and minority people. This has provided the foundation for the newer work we are doing with community-based organizations to promote the healthy living conditions that include recreational opportunities. We've come a long way from the old legal aid program that reacted to the individual walking through the door."

We owe a great thanks to the hundreds of volunteer attorneys and law students who have provided us with advice and resources over the years. Your support continues our work to promote healthy families and healthy communities. It's at the heart of our advocacy!

March / April 2006