Wills for Heroes Marks Milestone Year With Enhanced Technology and Support
Welcome to Wills for Heroes 2.0.
The latest iteration of this longstanding North Carolina Bar Foundation pro bono program has been wired – literally – to provide simple wills, health care power of attorney and financial power of attorney documents for first responders and their families for years to come.
“Through the challenges of the pandemic, the NCBF developed a new app-based technology that allows volunteers to serve clients remotely and virtually, which I expect will be an invaluable tool as we ramp up our clinic offerings,” said Alex Rogers, who is serving as the Foundation’s new pro bono clinics attorney.
Rogers brings a familiar face to the N.C. Bar Center. She served in the CLE Department prior to and after attending Elon University School of Law, where she was a Presidential Scholar, Pro Bono Board director and Veteran’s Expunction Project coordinator.
She is also well-versed in the history and impact of Wills for Heroes.
“Wills for Heroes is a cornerstone program of the North Carolina Bar Foundation,” Rogers said. “I look forward to working with attorney and paralegal volunteers to extend Wills for Heroes clinics across the state in 2022, offering multiple clinics per month.”
“I am excited to lead this work and look forward to watching the program grow.”
Rogers hit the ground running last fall and shortly thereafter staged a successful Wills for Heroes clinic in partnership with the Raleigh Police Department. The event took place in December and every slot was filled as volunteer lawyers and notaries provided invaluable expertise and more.
NCBF Pro Bono Clinics Attorney Alex Rogers, right, assists an officer during a recent Wills for Heroes clinic.
“The Wills for Heroes program provides so much more than free legal assistance in drafting wills and power of attorney documents for the employees of the Raleigh Police Department,” said Ken Klos-Weller, Wellness Sergeant for the City of Raleigh Police Department.
“The first responder families who participate experience an emotional and mental lift from knowing that their financial and health care decisions will be taken care of in the event of a crisis, and this, in turn, reduces the amount of daily anxiety and stress levels we all face. We can’t thank you enough for helping improve the overall wellness of not only our employees but their families as well.”
Peace of mind is what Wills for Heroes is all about. It was created in the aftermath of 9/11, which claimed the lives of hundreds of first responders, many of whom did not have wills. Attorneys Anthony Hayes of South Carolina and Jeff Jacobson of Arizona established the Wills for Heroes Foundation and invited bar organizations across the country to adopt the program.
The NCBA Young Lawyers Division hosted this organization’s first Wills for Heroes clinic in 2007, and 15 years later Wills for Heroes is stronger than ever under the direction of the North Carolina Bar Foundation.
Wills for Heroes has been an important project of the NCBA+NCBF since 2007.
Fueling this effort and an expanded statewide schedule of Wills for Heroes clinics in 2022 is the sponsorship of Lawyers Mutual, yet another component of this story steeped in service and support.
“It was an easy decision for Lawyers Mutual to support the Wills for Heroes clinic – one of the North Carolina Bar Association’s cornerstone projects,” said Julie Beavers, Director of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual. “Having a shared goal with the North Carolina Bar Foundation of serving first responders across North Carolina underscores our company values and allows us to demonstrate the Lawyers Mutual commitment of supporting the communities of our insureds.
“We are delighted to be a part of this growing effort as Alex Rogers and the volunteer lawyers make a difference in the lives of deserving individuals. What a great way to showcase the generous nature of the legal profession!”
Wills for Heroes is indeed a “growing effort.” Additional clinics have already been held in January and February and more are on the way throughout the year. Click here for more information and to volunteer to become a part of the legacy of service and support that is Wills for Heroes.
Russell Rawlings is director of external affairs and communications for the North Carolina Bar Association.