Greetings,

What a beautiful time of the year! You do not have to travel very far to see the majestic colors of the turning leaves. It is nature at its finest! Instead of stopping and taking a moment to “smell the roses,” let’s “admire the beautiful color of the leaves.” I do believe this is my favorite time of the year.

The season of autumn is certainly upon us with Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays lurking around the corner. Both holidays are ones that we hold near and dear to our hearts. They represent the union of family, charity, gratitude, and merriment. The observance of past traditions or maybe the beginning of new ones! It is a time to be intentional about expressions of gratitude and reflections on our blessings.

As I reflect on the charitable work Alabama Law Foundation does in the legal and lay community, I am grateful for Dawn Hathcock, the Executive Director, and her staff. Together they work tirelessly to implement the policies and procedures of the ALF Board so that our organization functions according to non-profit best practices and procedures. We are fortunate to rely on advice from our financial advisors as we grow our endowment to fund our grants.

Finally, I am thankful for our Board of Directors, comprised of volunteers from around the state. They participate in meetings and activities and “roll up” their sleeves to get the work done to keep ALF running efficiently. I am fortunate to work alongside them. So, I say thank you to the people who make ALF the special organization it is.

ALF is the HEART of the Alabama Bar Association so as we enjoy the upcoming Christmas season, we are reminded that the Christmas spirit can best be reflected in a generous heart. It is a time for kindness, joy, and compassion for others.

My hope this season is for you to be intentional in your expressions of gratitude with loved ones and friends, reflect on your blessings, and have a heart filled with generosity and love for yourself and others. Just imagine what this world would be like if we were intentional in this regard.

I wish you Peace.

Leslie R. Barineau

President, Alabama Law Foundation