Community Involvement

Whether participating in or hosting fundraisers, spending our free time helping individuals in need or offering leadership and guidance on various non-profit boards of directors, our employees constantly find new ways to give back to our communities.

Our Community Connections Committee was formed to help organize the philanthropic interests of our attorneys and staff members and translate them into concrete actions. In 2006, we established the Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard Charitable Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and contributes to the local, regional and national charities selected by our Community Connections Committee each year.

Each year we are excited to participate in the United Way Campaign and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis’s Motion for Kids, as well as the various races for causes such as the Komen Race for the Cure, Alzheimer’s Association walk, Run for Little Hearts and Head for the Cure.

Our Community Connections Committee also organizes firm-wide events throughout the year to raise funds for selected charities, including our annual Trivia Night, Thanksgiving Luncheon and Bake Auction featuring items baked and prepared by our members and their families. In addition to our efforts for our primary charitable organizations, we raise money within our firm by hosting dress-down days and other events for elected secondary charitable organizations in the area. 

For 2024, our Community Connections Committee elected and proudly supports:

Camp Milton: The mission of Camp Milton is to provide an empowering and enriching environment in which children with neuromuscular diseases can be supported in their journey of personal development being part of a community that fosters impactful experiences and a sense of belonging. Camp Milton provides a week long overnight camp at Tall Oaks Conference Center in Linwood, KS for children ages 6-17 that have a neuromuscular disease.

The Little Bit Foundation:The Little Bit Foundation is committed to breaking down barriers to learning for under-resourced students through partnerships and programs that serve the needs of the whole child. Its aim is to empower students to achieve their academic goals and dreams for the future, while leaving an imprint of love and hope on young lives for whom a little bit means a lot. Its focus and strength is in serving our most under-resourced school communities, supporting students’ individual needs and goals, and celebrating their successes.

Happy Hooves Equine Rescue: Happy Hooves strives to create a shelter for equines. It is a rescue that provides care, rehabilitation, and adoption services for abused, neglected, abandoned, and unwanted horses. Continuing care through veterinary services, equine dentistry, and its farrier is provided to all of its rescue horses while they are with them. Happy Hooves has accepted horses with both physical and emotional issues as well as horses who were no longer able to perform up to the standards that their former owners desired.

Additional charitable organizations our committee will support in 2024 include:

Giving the Basics: Every person deserves to have an opportunity for dignity. Giving the Basics provides laundry soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper and other personal care hygiene products for struggling children and adults to registered and approved locations. 

Making a Miracle: Making a Miracle is a non-profit 501c3 that caters to the mental health and support of the 1 in 6 that are struggling with infertility. Their mission is to provide resources, advocate, and spread awareness, while encouraging, supporting, and bringing hope to those experiencing loss and all that comes with finding resolve in their journey to complete their families. 

Back to Play: Back to Play strives to provide children with a safe environment to explore, learn, and engage in child-led play. This non-profit organization believes in the power of play and aims to provide a nurturing environment for kids to enjoy.

Heartlinks Grief Center: Heartlinks is a place where you can find professional counseling, support groups and community programs, and information on managing change, loss and grief. Heartlinks provides a variety of services to children, adults, and families who are trying to manage the serious illness or death of someone they love.

Steven Walsh
Community Connections Committee Chair
314.446.4360
swalsh@sandbergphoenix.com