Terrell • Hogan law partner Alan Pickert has been the  President of HEAL for the past two years.  HEAL (“Healing Every Autistic Life”) is a local non profit that was created in 2007 and helps autistic and special education children and their families in the five counties that comprise  North Florida (Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Fernandina, and Baker).    This year, in addition to the 18 summer camps HEAL provided for over 450 children, teens, and adults with autism and the forty plus grants HEAL provided local special needs classrooms, after school programs, team sports leagues and parent support groups, HEAL launched the initiative:  iHEAL—iPads for Helping Enrich Autistic Lives in North Florida.
According to Alan Pickert,  “iPads have been shown to help autistic children make progress on various fronts.   However, the various district school budgets in our area do not have the funds to provide iPads to the various Special Education Classrooms.  Thus, HEAL is trying to accomplish the  goal over the next three years to purchase iPads and donate them to every Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classroom in the five county area.  This is in addition to the camps and programs they already provide.”
This year country music star Jack Ingram played a concert benefitting HEAL along with the Valley of Dreams Party attended by numerous people around town.  First Coast News Anchorwoman and HEAL Board Member Patty Crosby was one of the two emcees for the night.  The other emcee was Bill Hughes, VP of the TPC.  Silent Auction items were donated by various companies around town including the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Over 300 people attended the Event and another 100 attended the following day for the Annual HEAL Golf Tournament.
The Law Firm of Terrell • Hogan under Alan Pickert’s guidance played a significant role in helping to raise a little more than $130,000 over the two day event by sponsoring and attending the Valley of Dreams Gala and Golf as well as making a sizeable donation.  “The lawyers and staff of Terrell • Hogan have embraced HEAL’s efforts and programs ever since the non profit was created in 2007”  said Alan Pickert.   “Members of the firm have participated every year in HEAL’s Zoo Walk, Stand Up Paddle for HEAL, The Valley of Dreams Gala and HEAL’s Annual Golf Tournament Since 2007.  I know of no other law firm that has done as much for the local autism community than Terrell • Hogan.”   Over the past seven years, HEAL has raised and donated over 1.4 million dollars to programs, camps, support groups and sports leagues benefitting the local autism community.  You can visit HEAL’s website to learn more at www.HealAutismNow.org