The holiday season has a strange affect on many people. Some people get extremely excited, while others become extremely sad. But there is one thing that I have consistently seen happen during the holidays - people giving.
I have been with DVLS now for about a year and a half and in that short period of time I have witnessed great acts of kindness. I have been a part of two “adopt-a-family” type programs. The first one is a collaborative effort between DVLS and Widener. I have participated in this program for two Christmases now. Both years have been a complete success because people care. This year we were able to help two families by providing not only presents, but also food so that they could enjoy a “real” Christmas dinner. Both families were extremely grateful and appreciated all that we had done for them. It was nice to make these families happy during the Christmas season, but now we must all return to the lives we were living before the holidays. For me, that is not so bad. However, for these families and many others like them it is bad. They will now return to the struggle they faced before, making ends meet and trying to make a happy, healthy life for themselves and their children. All we can do is help them with this process.
This is where the other “adopt-a-family” type program comes into play. This one is a little different in that it runs all year long and involves DVLS volunteer attorneys. Our volunteer attorneys provide free legal services to those who cannot afford them throughout the year, a gift that lasts our clients far past the holidays. Even though our attorneys do not adopt these families in the true sense of the word, they do take them in and provide them with the kind of help that will have an impact on their lives.
So remember, giving comes in many forms. It is not how you help others that matters, but that you do help.
ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT
Leslie Bonham Spoltore
Leslie Bonham Spoltore, Esquire is the Director of Legal Affairs for the Family Court of Delaware. Leslie accepted the position with Family Court almost a year ago and she has made great strides in the position in such a short time. Leslie is originally from Blacksburg, Virginia but came to the northeast to attend college.
Leslie attended Ursinus College for her undergraduate studies. She graduated from Ursinus in 1992 with a degree in Politics.
In 1993, Leslie began her law school career at Widener University School of Law, Delaware Campus. During her last year at Widener, she worked part time for the Project for Domestic Violence Reform.
Leslie graduated from Widener in 1996 and immediately after she graduated from Widener, she accepted a position with the New Castle County Police Department. One of her accomplishments while at the New Castle County Police Department was setting up the Weapons Relinquishment Program.
In 1997, Leslie became a member of the Delaware Bar. In 1997, she accepted a position as a staff attorney with Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc. While at Legal Services Corporation, Leslie handled numerous cases pertaining to landlord/tenant disputes, consumer matters and bankruptcy issues.
In early 2000, Leslie accepted her current position as Director of Legal Affairs, with the Family Court. She tells us that she loves her job, and loves working for the Family Court. She said she is enjoying and looking forward to all the challenges that come with her position.
Reminders:
If you are handling
a PRO BONO case that was not a DVLS matter please notify us. We like to give credit for all Pro Bono
efforts and we may be able to assist you with forms and referrals.
If you are not already a volunteer and would be interested in signing up, please contact the Pro Bono Coordinator (Sonal C. Patel, Esq.) at 478-8680, extension #207 or by e-mail at spatel@delanet.com. We can never have too many volunteers!