The Volunteer Legal Services Program is Pleased to Announce the 2008 Volunteers of the Year.

Each year, the Volunteer Legal Services Program (VLSP), a department of Community Legal Aid Services, recognizes one volunteer from each of our eight counties for excellent work on behalf of our clients.  In 2008, VLSP was able to help more clients than ever before, thanks largely to volunteers' dedication to the program.

When the foreclosure crisis hit Central Northeast Ohio, our volunteers stepped up to join the Save the Dream Program, a statewide effort to prevent foreclosures.  Answering the call from the Attorney Generals Office, many volunteers contacted VLSP and asked, "how can I help?"  To recognize this outpouring of good work, VLSP has also selected a Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year for each county.

Columbiana County Volunteer of the Year: Eric Kibler
Columbiana County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Jo Jackson

Mahoning County Volunteer of the Year: William Creighton
Mahoning County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: Douglas Toot

Medina County Volunteer of the Year: Stephen Brown
Medina County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: Richard Barbera

Portage County Volunteer of the Year: Dann Timmons
Portage County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: Beverly Briggs

Stark County Volunteer of the Year: Mitchell Machan
Stark County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: James Vaughn

Summit County Volunteer of the Year: Barbara Rogachefsky
Summit County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: James Lorenzon

Trumbull County Volunteer of the Year: William Flevares
Trumbull County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: John Falgiani

Wayne County Volunteer of the Year: Cheryl Kirkbride
Wayne County Save the Dream Volunteer of the Year: Thomas Mast

The VLSP has also recognized the law firms Hahn, Loeser, and Parks and Kropf, Wagner, Lutz & VanSickle as Law Firms of the Year for their pledges to making pro bono a part of their culture and taking on extended committments to specific Legal Aid Programs.