This year, McQuaide Blasko, Inc. proudly celebrates the centennial of its founding. McQuaide Blasko Inc. is a multi-service law firm serving clients from offices in State College, Hollidaysburg, Hershey and Williamsport. Since 1921, McQuaide Blasko has been committed to meeting not only the legal needs of its clients but also the humanitarian needs of the Central Pennsylvania communities and people it serves.
McQuaide Blasko also takes pride in its legacy of generous giving to a wide variety of causes by the firm, attorneys and staff, who readily contribute time and financial support to areas where they live and work.
Here are just some of the programs McQuaide Blasko is honored to partner with:
- Encouraging youth literacy
When adults read with young children, the children are better prepared to start school and succeed as they progress through graduation and beyond. McQuaide Blasko partners with the Centre County United Way on the Raising Readers program to promote this practice with a two-week annual book drive and year-round distribution of books to adults who care for children.
- Supporting United Way fundraising
Flamingos LIVE UNITED was a fun way to provide visibility for the United Way during the pandemic, as well as raise money. Flocks of pink flamingo yard displays popped up throughout Centre County, including at the law firm’s offices, and on social media. The lesson: Just as flamingos stick together in large flocks to avoid trouble and maximize resources, people should too.
- Helping save young lives
Children’s Miracle Network’s mission is to save and improve the lives of as many hospitalized children as possible. In 2020, McQuaide Blasko partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hershey as a Children’s Hospital Staff Recognition sponsor, helping the hospital reach its goal of $100,000 to support 200 families through the Network’s Patient Assistance Endowment.
- Campaigning against violence
Centre Safe empowers survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking, and works toward the elimination of such violence. McQuaide Blasko continued its support for Centre Safe through a financial contribution in 2020, an important year for such work as research suggests the lockdown created a surge of domestic violence in the United States.
- Providing funds for cancer patients in need
While the emotional strain of a potentially fatal disease is enormously stressful, it is overwhelming when a family is forced to decide between buying food or heating their home. This is where the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund steps in. Thanks to supporters like McQuaide Blasko, the fund provides short-term financial assistance to cancer patients in Centre County and beyond who are unable to pay for basic necessities such as rent, utilities and food during cancer treatment.
- Lending a hand to the uninsured
McQuaide Blasko sponsored and participated in Centre Volunteers in Medicine’s 13th Annual Virtual Battle of the Minds in 2020. The organization gives free medical and dental care, case management and medication assistance to the uninsured in Centre County.
- Assisting public broadcasting
McQuaide Blasko has had the privilege of sponsoring and attending both the Annual Mount Nittany Charity Ball and the 28th Annual WPSU Connoisseur’s Dinner & Auction. Both support the Central Pennsylvania public media broadcaster.
- Supporting education
In recognition of its 100th anniversary, McQuaide Blasko recently pledged $100,000 to the John W. Blasko Scholarship. The scholarship is given to full-time law students who have a demonstrated financial need to meet their law school expenses, with preference given to law students attending Penn State Dickinson Law.
Again, these are only some of the ways McQuaide Blasko — the firm and those who work there — supports the charities that improve the communities it serves and the lives of the people who reside and work in them. It is a century-old tradition the firm hopes to continue for another 100 years.