Our firm’s mission statement includes that we will do well by doing good, that we will give back to the community, and that will promote and sponsor scholarship, educational and safety programs. We are committed to this mission and we regularly act on this mission.
Below is a sampling of some of the community service efforts we made from 2000 to 2010, but it is by no means the only community service that we did during that decade.
The Child Identification Program
In an effort to protect our children and promote safety in our community, Michael F. Hupy and Associates, spearheaded a child fingerprint identification program. The program, which our law firm began in 2000, was highlighted in Milwaukee’s Dineen Park for the annual National Night Out event on August 6, 2002. During the event, the Hupy Law Firm fingerprinted nearly 300 children.
The Hupy Identification Program provides parents with a child identification packet that allows parents to keep updated information on their children. The identification packet contains a photo, fingerprints, a DNA sample and dental and medical information for each child. Attorney Michael Hupy was eager to participate in the program. “Our children are our most precious asset, and therefore, we believe our involvement in the program is a vital service to the community,” Hupy stated.
The Hupy Law Firm has also joined other state organizations in calling for the implementation of the Amber Alert system in Wisconsin. The system would interrupt radio and television broadcasts with immediate news of child abductions so motorists as well as authorities can be on the lookout. The system has been implemented in 41 communities nationwide, is credited with saving at least 17 children, including two California girls abducted in August 2002.
Perhaps at no other time has the need for programs such as the Hupy Identification Program and Amber Alert been so great. Recent disappearances and kidnappings, including Milwaukee’s Alexis Patterson, have heightened our awareness of the need for child identification. “If the Hupy Law Firm fingerprints thousands of children and our program saves the life of just one child, I would consider it a major success,” Attorney Chad Kreblin stated at the National Night Out event.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame
On August 7, 2002, Hupy and Abraham donated $5,000.00 to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame and became one of its corporate sponsors. The mission of the Museum, which opened its doors on June 1, 2001, is to preserve the great history of motorcycling and to honor the men and women who have made motorcycling the great pastime that it is today.
Hupy and Abraham is especially proud that our own motorcycle case specialist, Tony Sanfelipo was the first person inducted into the Hall of Fame in its special “Freedom Fighters” category.
We are proud to participate in preserving this piece of Americana for future generations to enjoy.
Hupy Donates Once in a Lifetime Trip to Benefit Milwaukee Urban League
When Jeanne and Andy Lien, attended the Milwaukee Urban League Black and White Ball, they had no idea they would end up on a trip to Hollywood donated by Michael F. Hupy & Associates and Attorney Hupy’s good friend, Leslie Easterbrook.
“We had the time of our lives,” said Jeanne Lien. We saw the Jay Leno Show, met Henry Winkler (a.k.a. ‘The Fonz’) on a movie set and had dinner at Spagos with actress Leslie Easterbrook (Captain Calahan from The Police Academy and Rhonda on Laverne & Shirley) and her husband…it was like being a celebrity for the whole trip. Leslie and her husband were our personal guides the entire time. It was fascinating and so much fun.” Leslie’s husband, Dan Wilcox, was the Producer of M.A.S.H., The Cosby Show, and Newhart.
“We had an once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Andrew Lien. “We have gone to the Black & White Ball for several years and decided to bid on the trip since we hadn’t had a vacation since our honeymoon. It was a win-win. We felt good about donating the money to the Milwaukee Urban League and we walked away with a vacation,” he explained.
Jeanne and Andy thanked Michael Hupy for his generosity.
Hupy Family Participates in Juvenile Diabetes Gala
The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation held its 14th Annual Gala Event on April 29, 2006, with approximately 700 people in attendance. Attorney Hupy’s sister-in-law, whose son has juvenile diabetes, was the Gala chair.
For the last several years the Hupy family has attended this event to help raise money for this worthwhile cause.
Attorney Hupy Recognized by Career Youth Development
On September 8, 2006, Career Youth Development held its annual banquet and gave Attorney Michael F. Hupy its 2006 Attorney of the Year Award for Excellence in Community Service. Attorney Hupy is a 1972 graduate of Marquette University Law School. The event was attended by approximately 600 people including the Mayor of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee County Executive, the Milwaukee County Sheriff and other award recipients.
Hupy and Abraham Support Disabilities Resources Inc. with the Man on the Moon
Astronaut Charles M. Duke, Jr., pictured at the left above was the Lunar Module Pilot during the Apollo 16 flight to the moon in April of 1972. Twenty-five years earlier, General Chuck Yeager, pictured above at the right, was the first man to break the sound barrier. Both Astronaut Duke and General Yeager attended the 18th Annual Big Country Celebrity Quail Hunt February 8 -10, 2007, in Abilene, Texas. Attorney Michael Hupy is pictured above with them. Proceeds benefit Disability Resources, Inc.
Disability Resources, Inc. in Abilene, Texas helps developmentally disabled adults reach their full potential. Hupy and Abraham has been a sponsor of this event for many years. In 2008 a net of $118,000.00 was raised.
In 2009, General Chuck Yeager and Attorney Michael Hupy again participated in the Quail Hunt. In 2009 they wer eable to help Disabilities Resources, Inc. raise over $140,000.
Hupy and Abraham Offer Reward for R&B Singer
Hupy and Abraham, offered a $2,500 reward to the first person who provided information leading to an arrest and conviction in the shooting deaths of rising R&B star Yolanda “La La” Brown and her producer, JeTannue Clayborn also known as “Koo-Laid”.
Brown, 21 and Clayborn, 22 were found October 19, 2007, shot to death inside Loud Enuff Productions, a recording studio where they lived in the 5500 block of West Lisbon Avenue.
“We are so disgusted that no one has come forward. So we decided to try to help the process along. It seemed like such a senseless act that we just felt compelled to do something,” said Attorney Jason Abraham, a partner at Hupy and Abraham.
On January 22, 2008, our law firm raised the reward to $5,000.00. Attorney Hupy told the media covering the story that he hoped that the reward would deter future crimes, help solve this case, and set an example for other lawyers and professionals to think outside the box and find ways to help our community.
This isn’t the first time that Hupy and Abraham, has stepped forward to offer a reward to assist police in solving a murder or malicious crime. Most recently, the firm offered and paid a $5,000 reward for information, which led to an arrest and conviction in the murder case of 21-year old Kevin Bohannon. Bohannon was murdered in Mitchell Park in July, 2006, as he walked home from work. Months had passed and the case had gone cold. However, less than two days after the reward was announced police received a tip, which led to the arrest of 29-year old Corey Young who later pled guilty to the murder.
In 2004, the firm offered a $5,000 reward, which led to the apprehension of a prankster who caused a serious motorcycle accident in Waukesha County. The prankster stretched tightly wound plastic wrap across the road from traffic pole to traffic pole causing Daniel Buckel and his girlfriend, Theresa Brzycky, to be thrown from a motorcycle into a skid across the asphalt. Injuries from the accident sent the couple to Waukesha Memorial Hospital. The prankster was arrested shortly after the reward was announced.
Hupy and Abraham Give to Toys for Tots
Attorney Chad Kreblin presents toys to Major Greg Thompson of the Salvation Army of Wisconsin on behalf of the employees of Hupy & Abraham.
In 2006 and 2007, Hupy and Abraham employees raised over seven hundred dollars for Toys for Tots.
On December 12, 2007, Attorney Chad Kreblin and employee Kristin Sommer presented the Salvation Army of Wisconsin with almost one-hundred toys purchased through employee donations. We are proud to announce that due to the generosity of our employees, dozens of children had presents to open during the holiday season.
Hupy and Abraham Supports Parents Television Council (PTC)
Have you ever cringed at the raw language, explicit sex, and bloody violence on TV? If you have, you’re not alone and you can act to protect your children. One organization we support is the Parents Television Council (PTC), which is helping to clean up TV. The PTC had an unprecedented impact in 2007, solidifying its position as the proven leader in the fight against TV violence, sex, and profanity.
If you are interested in protecting your children from offensive TV, you can:
- Contact and support PTC at www.parentstv.org
- Write to networks, production companies and sponsors.
- Raise awareness in newspapers and on social media.
- Write to Congress.
- File complaints with the FCC.
Hupy and Abraham is committed to this cause.
Hupy and Abraham Offers Reward After Tinley Park Murder
The law firm of Hupy and Abraham has added to the outpouring of support to help find the gunman who killed a manager and four customers during a robbery at Tinley Park Illinois’ Lane Bryant store in early February 2008. The firm has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy," said Hupy and Abraham’s Attorney, Peter Naylor. "Our hearts go out to the victims of the families, and we hope this reward will help persuade someone to come forward with information that will ensure justice is served."
This reward is part of a continuing effort by Hupy and Abraham in apprehending perpetrators of crimes in the Midwest. So far, Hupy and Abraham awards have led to the apprehension of three individuals responsible for the murder of a Milwaukee man; and in a separate case, several individuals responsible for injuring a motorcyclist by stretching plastic wrap across a roadway.
Hupy and Abraham Sponsor Inaugural Session of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Milwaukee Chapter
On April 16, 2008, the law firm of Hupy and Abraham sponsored the inaugural Session of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women- Milwaukee Chapter. The event was held at the Milwaukee Athletic Club and was a huge success.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women provides a network among black women, establishing a link between the corporate and political world. The purpose of the NCBW is to gain visibility for black women through political advocacy, and to meet the career needs of women through a mentoring and role modeling program.
Help for Midwestern Flood Victims
Floods hit communities like Jefferson, Wisconsin Dells and Fort Atkinson hard in 2008. The American Red Cross announced that its Domestic Disaster Relief Fund had reached zero and it was being forced to borrow money to help the Midwestern flood victims. So far, the Midwest flood response has cost approximately $15 million, with an anticipated total of $40 million. To date, a total of $2.3 million has been donated to aid Midwestern flood victims.
Hupy and Abraham made a donation to the Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund. American Red Cross disaster assistance is free and made possible by donations of time and money. You can help the victims of disasters like the Wisconsin flooding by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Monetary donations allow the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster.
Hupy and Abraham Donate to 2008 Juvenile Diabetes Gala
The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation raised over $1.3 million at its 16th Annual Gala on March 29, 2008, which was attended by 750 people. Hupy and Abraham donated a football autographed by Green Bay Packer great Brett Favre, which was put up for auction at the event. The winning bid for the football in Pittsburgh was $2,500.00, which will go toward diabetes research.
Hupy And Abraham Sponsor of Reading Rainbow
Our law firm along with the Harley-Davidson Foundation and Assurant Health is again sponsoring the Reading Rainbow program on Milwaukee Public Television for the next year. Our firm has sponsored Reading Rainbow for several years, and considers this program to be an important asset to child education.
Reading Rainbow is a wonderful program for young children. It is broadcast several times a week on Channels 10 and 36 in Milwaukee and rebroadcasted on high definition channels.
On May 22, 2008, Reading Rainbow held its 14th Annual Young Writers and Illustrators Awards Reception at Milwaukee Public Television Studio. A record-breaking 1,155 children submitted stories to the contest this year, with 20 winners chosen from age groups ranging from kindergarten to third grade. Winning stories were displayed at the event, and “Watch My Story” promotions were taped for future airing on episodes of Reading Rainbow.
Hupy and Abraham is a Sponsor of 23rd Annual Black and White Ball
Hupy and Abraham was a sponsor of the Milwaukee Urban League’s 23rd annual Black and White Ball on June 7, 2008. Our sponsorship helped this worthy organization raise over $250,000 at the event. The Milwaukee Urban League has served the community for over 85 years, helping minorities seize opportunities to promote quality of life. The organization assists individuals pursuing higher education and workplace development, and serves the greater community through advocacy. Attorneys Todd Korb and Timothy Schelwat attended the event on behalf of the firm.
Hupy Law Firm Sponsors Legal Aid Society Luncheon
Hupy & Abraham recently co-sponsored the 2009 Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee Luncheon. The event was attended by various politicians and lawyers representing every prominent law firm in Milwaukee. Speaking at the Luncheon were Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and United States Senator Herb Kohl. During the event, the Hupy Law Firm was personally thanked by the Legal Aid Society for our support of this worthy organization.
The Legal Aid Society provides legal services to Wisconsinites who cannot otherwise afford such services. Specifically honored at the luncheon were lawyers who helped represent the deaf, the NAACP, and Wisconsin citizens who were not paid minimum wage at work pursuant to state law.
Hupy Supports Our Troops
On August 15, 2009 Attorney Michael F. Hupy and his son Rex attended the Stars and Stripes Foundation Shoot for the Wounded Warriors. At the event, Attorney Hupy donated $10,000, five thousand of which was to match donations by other participants. We have learned that since the event, this motivated an anonymous donor to give $100,000 toward the cause. Please join us in supporting our troops.
Our Community Service Work Certainly Did Not End Here
Please browse our free library of articles to find out more about what we’ve done in the community since then and please follow us on Facebook to learn more about our current community service projects and contributions.