REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., April 21, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To coincide with Earth Day on April 22, 2009, global law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges has teamed up with Bay Area students to emphasize the importance of "going green" by sponsoring a Recycled Art Contest at Albany and Redwood City middle schools. The program, part of the firm's ongoing green initiative, is co-sponsored by local merchants, which will prominently display the students' works of art throughout the month of May.
Weil Gotshal's Recycled Art Contest was introduced to raise awareness of Earth Day and the positive impact that community service can have on reducing waste and improving the environment. The inaugural event has generated interest from other local elementary, middle and high schools for participation in an expanded Bay Area Earth Day Recycled Art Contest program next year. Weil Gotshal will hold class parties next week for participating students, at which cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
At Albany Middle School, students are submitting individual works of art that include a candelabra made out of used pipes; a skateboard made of cardboard, plastic water bottles, beads and newspaper; a fire-breathing dragon made of foil, cardboard, tic tac(r) containers and construction paper; and a watermelon slice made of tissue paper and magazine cutouts. The Albany Chamber of Commerce and Solano Avenue merchants Five Little Monkeys and Jean's Realty will be displaying the students' artwork throughout the month of May.
At Redwood City Middle School, four classes are participating in group projects that will be displayed by Phantom Gallery, on South First Street in San Jose, from May 4-11, and then by San Carlos merchants Glinda's Fudge & More and Whole Life for the remainder of May.
"It's rewarding to watch children learn the value of social responsibility through action," said Gerilyn Ward, the Office Administrator at Weil Gotshal's Silicon Valley office, who spearheaded and coordinated the program. "The students have shown great enthusiasm and creativity and should be very proud of their work."
"The Recycled Art Contest is consistent with Weil's long standing commitment to community-based programs focused on social awareness and responsibility,'" added Craig Adas, managing partner of Weil Gotshal's Silicon Valley office. "By sponsoring programs such as this contest, we hope to give students an opportunity to see how teamwork and resourcefulness can have a tangible impact on our environment."
Weil Gotshal's firm-wide "green policy" aims to lessen its impact on the environment and to become a standard-bearer in the legal industry by promoting responsible stewardship toward the environment and natural resources. The policy involves programs in energy reduction and conservation and reduction of hazardous electronic waste, the use of carbon offsets and pro bono synergies. Last year, the firm became an Associate Member of the Chicago Carbon Exchange (CCX) to reduce its carbon footprint.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (www.weil.com), an international law firm of over 1,300 lawyers, including approximately 300 partners, is headquartered in New York, with offices in Austin, Beijing, Boston, Budapest, Dallas, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Miami, Munich, Paris, Prague, Providence, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Redwood Shores), Warsaw, Washington, D.C. and Wilmington.
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