Memminger Elementary

At Memminger Elementary School, they believe in the adage that it takes a village to educate a child. But sometimes, having a law firm doesn’t hurt.

When the Charleston school needed some financial help, Nexsen Pruet’s local office stepped up big – raising $3,200 for everything from supplies to help the children prepare for the approaching PACT test to a much-desired portable public address system.

The effort was spearheaded by Partner, Chris Ogiba, with help from Partner, Ric Tapp and Assistant, Amber Tanner. Tapp had met with representatives of the school and suggested that lawyers and staff might be interested in helping Memminger address some lf its more pressing needs.

After a presentation to the firm’s lawyers, Nexsen Pruet lawyers raised funds necessary to provide 280 sharpened pencils, 140 water bottles, yogurt and peppermints, and gift card incentives for the PACT test; support for a science fair and a picnic recognizing volunteers; and the portable PA system.

In addition to personal donations, the firm also raffled off two reserved-seat tickets to the sold-out Dave Matthews concert. The attorneys were ineligible, but were encouraged to buy tickets for staff. Sharon Logan was the lucky recipient after David Parrish won the drawing.

On top of that, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley’s sister also contributed to the effort.

The Charleston Post & Courier, which wrote a nice feature about the undertaking, said Ogiba believes the relationship between Memminger and Nexsen Pruet is only just beginning.

"Everyone [at the firm] wanted to make sure this is just the beginning," he told the paper. "We're in it for the long haul. ... We're neighbors."