A story December 27, 2004 in the Washington Post was headlined "Sometimes Lobbyists' Advice Really Is Priceless." A quote:
Lobbyists are usually reviled as shills for greedy interests. But dozens of them also work without pay to advance projects that embrace the giving spirit. What better time to acknowledge such selflessness than now, the holiday season?The story includes examples, such as:
Right here in Washington, the Capital Area Food Bank is richer thanks to Piper Rudnick LLP. Lobbying by Karen A. Regan and William H. Minor, and advice from Carl L. Vacketta and William A. Smith II, produced a $300,000 gift for the food bank in the D.C. appropriations bill. Piper Rudnick lawyers also regularly hold food drives and fund-raising events to help reduce hunger in the city.Posted by Marcia Oddi at January 1, 2005 03:05 PMThe District's struggling school system got a boost because of other Patton Boggs lobbying. The Center for Inspired Teaching, which puts public school teachers through rigorous training, received $150,000 in taxpayer money because several of the firm's lawyers pleaded its case in Congress.
Kidsave International creates model programs around the world that move orphans into adoption or long-term mentoring situations. Pro-bono lobbying by Van Scoyoc Associates brought Kidsave International an appropriation of $400,000 for its on-going work in Russia. * * *
Even the American League of Lobbyists got into the charitable act. The 25-year-old group decided to put its members' fancy clothes to a higher use. It held what it called a Capitol PurSuit drive and collected more than 7,000 business suits and related items. They were all donated to low-income people who are trying to enter the job market. The league's foundation also raised nearly $150,000 at its annual Members of Congress vs. Lobbyists basketball game in September. The proceeds paid for eye glasses, braces and tutoring for D.C. kids on Capitol Hill.