Did you know that SBCF attorney Sarah E. Kay was an exchange student in Ecuador her senior year in high school? That life-changing experience has inspired Sarah to be a long-term volunteer with her international exchange student organization, AFS Intercultural Programs. AFS promotes intercultural understandings and cultivates global citizenship through offering programs in more than 80 countries worldwide. AFS is a largely volunteer-driven organization with more than 4,400 volunteers in the U.S. and more than 50,000 throughout the globe. Since first volunteer roughly 19 years ago, Sarah has held a variety of roles in AFS Massachusetts and Florida. Her favorite, by far, has been serving as a host mother. Thank you, Sarah, for making a difference.

Sessums Black participated again this year in the Christmas in July office challenge, a month-long, community-wide fundraiser by the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation to encourage businesses, civic organizations and individuals to collect toys for the kids of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. We’re proud to say we were the week-three winner of the#CIJOfficeChallenge and on July 26, partner Jennifer Ficarrotta and paralegal Frank Steinbeck, Jr. delivered 412 toys to the hospital. This year, the Christmas In July office challenge raised a record $130,000 in monetary donations and toys. The need is great. You can help through sponsorships, hosting toy drives or donating directly to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Please call the foundation at (813) 872-0979 for more information.