At Allen & Allen, community isn’t just something we talk about; it’s at the core of who we are. To us, being part of the community means investing in it, celebrating its diversity, and showing up when it matters most. And this summer, while the temperatures soared, so did our community spirit.
This May, we returned to the 24th annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival, hosted by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber. Held in the heart of Richmond, the ¿Qué Pasa? Festival is a vibrant celebration of Hispanic and Latin American cultures, bringing together thousands of people each year to enjoy a colorful mix of food, music, dance, art, and local vendors. From traditional performances to contemporary creations, the festival offers an unforgettable experience that showcases the rich heritage and diversity of our community. We enjoyed connecting with our neighbors, supporting cultural organizations, and celebrating the many cultures that make Virginia such a dynamic place to live and work.
In June, Allen & Allen was proud to celebrate outstanding educators who make a lasting impact in their classrooms and communities. We had the honor of recognizing Matthew Neale, the 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Mr. Neale teaches English and Journalism at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke and has been making a difference in students’ lives for over 20 years. Attorney Irvine Reaves participated in the two day selection process and attorney Lee Appleton presented him with a check on behalf of Allen & Allen. Since 1998, we’ve been proud to sponsor the Virginia Teacher of the Year program, led by the Virginia Department of Education. This prestigious program recognizes outstanding K-12 educators across the Commonwealth who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and a deep commitment to their students and communities.
This July, our team had the opportunity to partner with Feed More, a Central Virginia nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger across the region. Our employees rolled up their sleeves and got to work, packing meal boxes for families in need. We helped prepare multiple pallets of food, each box carefully assembled to ensure that families had access to the nutritious meals that they deserve. Food insecurity affects thousands of Virginians every day, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of a solution.
This summer, we were proud to extend our Sober Ride Home program to include holidays known for spikes in impaired driving, such as the Fourth of July. These celebrations, while joyful, can unfortunately lead to a higher risk of impaired driving. Our goal is to help Virginians get home safe and responsibly. By assisting with the potential barrier of cost, we’re encouraging people to make smart choices that protect not only themselves but everyone on the road.
As school approached in August, we gathered Allen & Allen staff together to help pack backpacks with essential school supplies for Central Virginia students in need. This was a part of the eighth annual Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive hosted by VCU at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The supply drive began in 2017 to provide supplies to Richmond Public School students. It has since become the largest school supply drive in the country.
Our Petersburg office reopened this past August. It is a beautifully restored historic building with a rich history and deep roots in the community. The office was originally built as a family home in 1850 and earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. We were proud to welcome the community back into this beautifully restored space.
Reopening this office is more than a return to business as usual. It’s a celebration of heritage, progress, and continued service to the Petersburg community. We’re grateful for the opportunity to preserve such an important piece of local history and to continue building lasting connections within this incredible city.
Through our Allen & Allen Cares initiative, we’re proud to support our Hometown Heroes who are creating lasting change in our community by making Virginia a better place to live, work, and play. This summer, we were thrilled to shine a spotlight on two of our Hometown Heroes.
The first was Mike Zitz, a longtime community advocate and leader of the Sunshine Baseball League. Attorney Emily Smith had the honor of presenting Mike with a $1,000 donation to support the league and its incredible mission.
The second Hometown Hero we were able to honor through Allen & Allen Cares was Michael Zetlan, who serves as the Deputy Director of Open Space Education. Attorney Anna Katogiritis recently had the privilege of presenting our latest donation to Blythe King, founder of Open Space Education.
These two organizations deomonstrate the very spirit of what it means to be a Hometown Hero by making Virginia a better place to live, work, and play.
As we head into Fall, we are excited to share that our Hometown Heroes nominations are now open for 2026!
