Law Rocks celebrates grassroot, community efforts, and The Hustle & Heart award is meant to encourage donations for each band’s nonprofit pick. As part of our initiative to increase our impact, we began offering The Hustle & Heart Award at each U.S. Law Rocks show. This award is given to the band that has the highest number of unique donors contributing to the “Donation” category (separate from sponsorships or ticket sales). Law Rocks makes an additional donation to the winning band's charity of choice. We are thrilled to increase our support of small, local nonprofits who would otherwise not be receiving this funding.
Today’s spotlight is on MENDING KIDS, recipient of the Hustle & Heart Award at The 13th Annual Law Rocks Los Angeles in March. Mending Kids was the chosen nonprofit of Hustle & Heart Award Winner The Meltones, featuring legal talent from Greenberg Traurig.
Greenberg Traurig’s The Meltones says the band chose to raise funds for Mending Kids at Law Rocks Los Angeles due to the organization’s profound positive impact and it’s connection to Greenberg Traurig’s Los Angeles team. “Their mission resonates deeply with us, and we are proud to have one of our own, Los Angeles Associate Richard Tabura, serving as a dedicated board member,” says GT. “His involvement provided a personal connection and insight into the remarkable work Mending Kids does every day.”
The Meltones successfully rallied their west coast community to bring in over $29,500 for Mending Kids, including the $5,000 granted by Law Rocks from winning the Hustle & Heart Award.
Greenberg Traurig says, “Winning the Hustle & Heart Award was a great honor, and a team effort that required strategic planning and enthusiastic engagement from our GT community. Here’s how we did it:
Highlighting Mending Kids: We featured Mending kids prominently in all our communications leading up Law Rocks LA. This ensured everyone understood the importance and impact of the cause we were supporting.
Fundraising Pizza Party: We organized a fundraising pizza party in the GT Los Angeles office. It was a fun way to gather donations while fostering team spirit, as we were also handing out Meltones t-shirts to our donors.
Pre-Event Reception: We hosted a reception where guests were encouraged to donate up until The Meltones performance that evening. This kept the momentum going and raised additional funds.
Donation Matching: The GT Los Angeles office matched attorney and staff donations, effectively doubling the contributions and encouraging more generous giving.”
Isabelle Fox, Executive Director of Mending Kids, says “proceeds raised by Law Rocks funded a mission to Nicaragua in late spring that mended the hearts of a dozen kids who otherwise would not have had access to the necessary care.” Read on for our spotlight interview with Fox to learn more about the life-changing work Mending Kids is doing and how you can get involved as a volunteer.
Photo courtesy of Mending Kids
1) Can you tell us a little about your organization and its mission?
“Mending Kids provides free life-saving surgical care to sick children worldwide by deploying volunteer medical teams and supporting communities to become medically self-sustaining. Since 2005, we've mended over 5,400 children from 76 countries, including the US. Our mission extends beyond borders, reaching thousands more through our hands-on training and exchanges of knowledge, making our impact immeasurable and everlasting.”
2) What is one success story you’re really proud of?
Jorge's Transformation: From Isolation to Joy
By the age of 6, Jorge had withdrawn from socializing with other children due to relentless bullying about a large birthmark on his face, according to his father, Jose. The boy attempted to cut if off with a pair of scissors. In a desperate act, Jorge's dad had even considered getting a tattoo on his face to replicate his son's, hoping to help him feel less alone. Their insurance was unwilling to cover the necessary procedure, as it was deemed cosmetic. Jose and his wife were on the brink of giving up hope.
In 2015, while watching a Spanish-language TV channel, the family saw a commercial for Mending Kids. Though skeptical, they decided to call. To their amazement, within a day, the organization confirmed they could help.
Over the course of three years and three surgeries, Jorge's birthmark was completely removed in 2017. Now 14 years old, Jorge is a changed person. “Now he’s a totally different boy,” says Jose. “I see him happy and making friends.”
Mending Kids spends a significant portion of its budget on overseas programs, providing free life-saving surgical care to children in need while training local medical personnel to eventually provide the procedures independently. When you think of the impact bullying has on vulnerable children, an outpatient surgical procedure can be just as life-saving and life-changing in restoring a child's self-esteem. Yet, time and time again, these operations are deemed elective and cosmetic, and denied to families who do not have the disposable income to help their kids feel whole. Mending Kids aims to fill that need, giving children like Jorge not just a new face, but a new lease on life, restoring their confidence and joy. Ultimately, setting them up to thrive.
To refer a patient, or call 800-993-5680
Joel: Against All Odds
Joel was born with a congenital heart defect that would eventually take his life. He was also an orphan. Joel's aunt was determined not to sit and watch her nephew die, so she traveled across Tanzania to seek care for him. Without a cent to her name, and unable to afford bus fare, she hitchhiked over 1 week and 700 miles with Joel in tow to reach our cardiac mission in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. When she finally made it, dusty and weak, to our team, it was a Thursday. We only had one more day of surgeries, and all patients had been scheduled the Sunday prior. Knowing how far they had traveled to get here, praying that we could save her orphaned nephew, compelled us to act. After a quick team conversation, the medical team agreed to extend their stay so that Joel could receive the surgery he needed to save his life. The compassion and dedication of our volunteer team were evident as they rearranged flights and schedules back home. In the end, his life was saved.
Not only that, but Joel's story inspired our annual Hike 2 Mend, an event that honors the journey that parents undertake the world over to gain access to the surgical care their children so desperately need. It is meant as a walk to draw attention to health disparity and champion health equity. This year's hike will be in Agoura Hills, CA, but it can take place anywhere anyone wants to take a walk with friends and celebrate children and their resilience and drive to survive. We invite you to join us on September 21 to take part. For more information on how to join us: Hike to Mend”
Photo courtesy of Mending Kids
3) What programs and initiatives do you have scheduled for the upcoming year?
“Non-medical volunteers have unique opportunities to travel with our medical teams and assist in delivering global healthcare. They provide child life services, support the team with administrative tasks, and manage medical supply inventory. For high school juniors, seniors, or college students, these trips offer valuable community service experiences and exposure to potential career paths in medicine or healthcare.”
Upcoming opportunities:
El Salvador Cardiac (September 22-26)
Armenia Plastic (October 7-11)
Nicaragua Cardiac (October 20-25)
Namibia Cardiac (October 21-25)
Tanzania Ear-Nose-Throat (October 28 - Nov 3)
Mauritius Cardiac (November 11-15)
Cambodia Orthopedic (November 18-23)
*All missions are subject to change and cancellation
Events
Pickle for a Purpose (July 20)
Hike 2 Mend (September 21)
Imagine Gala (February 15, 2025)
To join Mending Kids on a mission, apply here.
“Mending Kids is honored to have received the Hustle and Heart award,” says Fox. “We are immensely grateful for the support from the Law Rocks community and thankful to the firm Greenberg Traurig for designating us as their charity. Funds raised by the event funded a cardiac mission to Managua, Nicaragua, where 12 kids received lifesaving heart procedures they otherwise would not have had access to.”
Learn more about Mending Kids and follow on social media @mendingkids.