Public Service
INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY...
We believe in investing in our community-not just monetarily, but with our time and energy. The attorneys and staff at Wagner Reese & Crossen are involved in a wide variety of civic and service organizations, foundations, education programs, and charitable organizations. All of our attorneys devote time and expertise to pro bono legal work. We also strongly support those serving our country in the military . We believe that investing in our community is not just the right thing to do, it also enriches our lives and makes us better lawyers.
Wagner Reese & Crossen proudly supports CenterPoint Counseling. CenterPoint is a collection of individual therapists that provides counseling services to clients of all backgrounds, religions and econmic circumstances. Many of the clients are receiving free services through the Samaritan Fund. For over 22 years, CenterPoint has served individuals, couples and families throughout central Indiana. Partner Jason Reese has been elected to the Board of Directors at CenterPoint Couseling and will serve as its Vice President.
Adopt a highway...
On October 17th, 2009, Wagner Reese & Crossen started their “Adopt a Highway” campaign. Thanks to Jason Reese and several WRC employees for making US 31 between 116th St. and 126th St. a cleaner place to drive. Look for us again on the highway in April!
With our time...
Our attorneys regularly volunteer at the Westminster Legal Ministry, an outreach program of Second Presbyterian Church that offers free legal advice to those needing assistance on a weekly basis as well as the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic. With our time we also support the Indianapolis Bar Association's pro bono "Ask a Lawyer" program, a free legal advice program in which the public can talk face-to-face with an attorney to get answers to basic questions. Our lawyers have also participated in the, "Ask Me What's Great about America" speaker series in grade schools across Indiana.
Each year, our firm participates in the United Way of Central Indiana's "Adopt a Family" program. Not all volunteer activities are "in the limelight", so to speak. Early every Tuesday morning, someone from our firm transports bread from the Pepperidge Farms warehouse on the southeast side of Indianapolis to the Lord's Pantry collection point on the northwest side of town. The bread is then distributed to the poor of Indianapolis.
As individuals in our community, our attorneys and staff actively support and assume leadership positions with their churches and organizations such as the Carmel Dads' Club and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports teams. We don't just coach our children's sports teams, however (although we certainly have done that!).
...and our resources...
Wagner Reese & Crossen also supports local charities such as the Indiana Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Kids' Chance of Indiana. Kid's Chance provides need-based scholarships to enable the children of deceased or seriously injured Indiana workers to attend the college, graduate school, technical school, or trade school of their choice.
Wagner Reese and Crossen participated in the Mayor's Bike Ride 2009, an inaugural bicycling event held along the new bike lanes on Michigan St. and New York St. from downtown Indianapolis to Irvington. Mayor Greg Ballard kicked off this event on May 16th, 2009. The event started at the Veterans Plaza. It was a casual eleven-mile bike loop to Ellenberger Park and back. Wagner Reese and Crossen provided each child in attendance with a free bike helmet, as well as proper fitting instructions.
With charitable giving, we also support the Indiana Bar Foundation, Indiana Legal Services, the Carmel Clay Educational Foundation and the Carmel Police Department.
The firm is a likewise a strong financial supporter of Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.,'s West Street Tree Project. Since 1994, this project has planted over 2,249 trees along the West Street corridor, helping to keep downtown Indianapolis beautiful for all to enjoy.
...and our support for men and women in uniform.
We also believe strongly in supporting our military men and women. Our firm has close ties to the military...the fathers of all three partners were in the service: both Jason Reese and Trevor Crossen had fathers who served in Vietnam, and both won a Bronze Star for Valor; Steve Wagner's father was in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War.
A World War two Pacific Rim sword hangs on the office wall of Chuck Stratis, our firm's Executive Director. The sword was presented to Chuck by his great uncle who was injured while he disarmed an enemy soldier in combat during the pacific campaign.
A photo of Chuck's son, James Christopher Stratis (right) a specialist with the Indiana National Guard's 76th Brigade, 152 Cavalry, also adorns his office wall. In March 2008 Chuck's son and the other 3,400 members of Indiana's 76th Brigade will deploy for a 400-day mission to Iraq. Chuck was present in the RCA dome on January 2, 2008 when family and friends formally bid goodbye to their loved ones. Click here to view Chuck's photo montage of this emotional day. The soldiers are currently in Fort Stewart, Georgia, undergoing final medical evaluations and training. Throughout the deployment, check back here for Chuck's reports on his son and other members of the 76th Brigade. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
To join us in supporting our troops, please feel free to email Chuck directly with your thoughts on how to contribute time, services, or offer discounts to soldier's families.
These are a few examples of our attorneys' community activities and pro bono involvement. If you are aware of other community organizations in need of pro bono legal assistance, sponsorship or a charitable contribution, please feel free to contact our office.
