About The Annual Champions for Justice Donor Appreciation Event

Held at a unique venue each year, the event features beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and an awards program that highlights the profound impact of your support.

These events are brought to life through the generosity of our sponsors, with giving levels available to suit a variety of contributions.

Awards & Recognition

Each year, we honor the extraordinary individuals and groups whose efforts have advanced Bay Area Legal’s mission. Their steadfast commitment embodies the spirit of justice and drives meaningful change in our community.

We proudly present three awards annually: the Lt. General James B. Peake Award, the Judge Don Castor Award, and the Richard C. Woltmann Group Advocacy Award.

The Lt. General James B. Peake Award:

In 2017, to honor Bay Area Legal Services’ 50th anniversary, many helped spearhead an initiative to create the Major General Ernest A. and Marilyn Bedke Veterans Law Center. General James B. Peake, former Secretary of the Veterans Administration and Surgeon General of the Army, was a part of the anniversary event to secure funds for veteran programs and has been connected with Bay Area Legal Services since then. Each year, Bay Area Legal Services presents the “Peake Award” with General Peake’s blessing to those who have gone above and beyond to help expand and improve the delivery of legal services to veterans. The award itself is a military challenge coin in a wooden box that has the individual’s name engraved on it.

Past award recipients:

• Commander Dennis O. Baker (2024)
• Rep. Traci L. Koster (2023)
• Mike A. Bedke (2022)
• Gwynne Young (2021)
• Col. DJ Reyes (2020)
• Ashley Moody, Ben Diamond, Danny Burgess, Spencer Roach, Christopher Sprowls, Bill Galvano, W. Travis Cummings, and Tom Lee (2019)
• George Howell (2018)

The Judge Don Castor Award:

Judge Don Castor paved the way for civil legal aid in the Tampa Bay community. He was a leader, a mentor, referred to as a man with razor-sharp intellect- warm, gracious and modest. Each year, Bay Area Legal Services honors one individual who also possesses these qualities as the recipient of the Judge Don Castor Justice Award—an individual who has dedicated their time and energy to ensure equal access to justice for all, and not just to those who can afford it, and has shown a commitment to Bay Area Legal Services and the provision of legal aid.

Past award recipients:

• Kathleen S. McLeroy (2024)
• Harley E. Reidel II (2023)
• Hala A. Sandridge (2022)
• Luis “Tony” Cabassa (2021)
• Tom Elligett (2020)
• Craig Rothburd (2019)
• Ed Waller (2018)
• Hon. Catherine Peek McEwen (2016)
• Kathleen Koch (2015)
• Mike Bedke (2014)
• Drew O’Malley (2013)

The Richard C. Woltmann Group Advocacy Award

Established in 2024, it honors a philanthropic organization that has profoundly supported the mission of Bay Area Legal Services as a key piece of its community impact through the years. Named after Richard "Dick" Woltmann who served as the organization's President & CEO for over 40 years, this award recognizes the recipient's enduring charitable commitment to providing justice for those in need within our community. Woltmann Award recipients have not only made significant financial contributions toward the mission, but have incorporated "access to justice" into their company culture. The award celebrates the meaningful strides that Bay Area Legal has made thanks to this significant partner in justice

Past award recipients:

• Hill Ward Henderson (2024)