Shareholder Mark Eckels and Partner Linda Farrell are currently serving as co-chairs of the local chapter of the Friends of 440, a statewide charity set up by workers’ compensation practitioners.  The charity raises money to provide scholarships to children of those individuals who are involved in the Florida workers’ compensation system, either by working in the system or being the recipient of such benefits.  The scholarship fund is centrally maintained but it is the local chapters throughout the state that are charged with raising money for the scholarship fund.  Since assuming their leadership roles, Mr. Eckels and Ms. Farrell have overseen several fundraising events including a lunch with the local judges and a group outing to a baseball game.  Future planned events include the production of a calendar, a softball game between claimant and defense attorneys, and a holiday wine tasting.