The Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD)—the only nonprofit exclusively dedicated to serving people with disabilities, and the deaf and hard-of-hearing in the Philadelphia region—announced the recipients of its annual awards. This year, attorney Tom Duffy, Esq., Founder of Duffy + Partners, was honored with the Special Recognition Award. Additionally, Katie Samson, Spokesperson for the Katie Samson Foundation, and Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ASB), were honored with White Hat Awards. The awards were given at LCD’s annual Fall Celebration & Silent Auction on October 18, 2018 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
The Special Recognition Award is given to a person nominated by LCD’s Board of Directors who has shown outstanding commitment to people with disabilities and LCD’s work in the disability community. Since 2012, Duffy has supported the work of LCD with the Duffy Fellowship. The Fellowship helps support an attorney’s salary for a year, allowing the organization to reach more people and expand services.
“We are honored that Tom received LCD’s Special Recognition Award this year,” said Linda Peyton, Executive Director, LCD. “Tom’s commitment to the nonprofit legal community and his advocacy on behalf of charitable causes is extraordinary. His continued support of LCD through the Duffy Fellowship has been integral in LCD’s success. He embodies the word ‘advocate’ and we are so grateful to have his support.”
LCD also recognized Katie Samson and ASB with White Hat Awards. The White Hat Award honors those who help LCD staff in their daily work to meet LCD’s mission of providing free legal services to the disability community of Philadelphia. The honorees help LCD to sustain its work by promoting the nonprofit, fundraising, and sharing their talents and passion when the LCD’s staff needs assistance.
“This year I am thrilled to recognize Katie Samson with the White Hat Award,” said Peyton. “Katie, a former member of our Board of Directors, is a shining example for resilience and determination. She leads her life and those around her with wisdom and grace and has given back to the disability community by fundraising and raising awareness through her Foundation. ”
“The success of LCD’s work depends on collaboration with our partners. Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been our partner since 2011, providing us and our pro bono partners the space and time to offer legal services to their clients. Through our Community Legal Outreach Clinics, we’ve seen firsthand the difference ASB makes in the community. They promote self-esteem, independence, and self-determination, all things that make them the perfect recipient of our White Hat Award.”
