LRGB was voted Most Philanthropic Company from 2017 to 2026 in AZ Foothill Magazine’s independent readers’ polls. Additionally, Kevin Rowe, LRGB was Voted 2023 and 2024 Most Influential in Valley Nonprofit by the magazine’s readers.
Kevin Rowe was selected as the Philanthropic Business Leader of the Year in Az Business publication's 2023 Champions of Change Awards. Lerner & Rowe Gives Back was named a 2025 nonprofit organization of the year finalist.
Recognized as 2022 Philanthropic Company of the Year by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Voted Nonprofit of the Year 2018 in AZ Foothill Magazine's independent readers' poll.
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys brought back-to-school excitement to North Las Vegas with another successful 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour, welcoming local students and families for an afternoon filled with community, fun, and preparation for the year ahead. Held at Mojave High School, the event provided 750 students with FREE backpacks filled with essential school supplies to help them start the new school year ready to learn.
The event was about much more than backpacks. Families were treated to a fun-filled afternoon featuring complimentary ice cream, balloon art, and plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag.
Thank you to all the families, volunteers, and community members who helped make the Las Vegas Backpack Giveaway a success. Lerner and Rowe is proud to continue supporting students and families across the communities it serves.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Las Vegas Backpack Giveaway:
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
We are over halfway through our 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour. Our Tucson back-to-school event brought hundreds of families together for an afternoon of fun and celebration.
Hosted at the Tucson Convention Center, the event distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to 750 local students, helping them prepare for the new school year.
Kids also enjoyed face painting, colorful balloon art, and a tasty snack.
Attendees also took home plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag, making the day even more memorable.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Tucson and helped make this year’s backpack giveaway another incredible success.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Tucson Backpack Giveaway:
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Yuma families came together for another unforgettable back-to-school event, helping local students get ready for a successful new school year. This was the third stop of our 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour and was filled with excitement as our team prepared to distribute 1,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies.
The celebration offered much more than school supplies. Kids enjoyed colorful face painting, creative balloon art, and tasty treats. Families also took home plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag and drawstring bags.
From the first backpack handed out to the final family leaving the event, the atmosphere was filled with smiles, laughter, and excitement. We loved seeing kids showing off their new backpacks and excitedly talking about the upcoming school year.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Yuma and helped make this year’s backpack giveaway another incredible success. We look forward to continuing this tradition of giving back and helping local students start the school year with the tools, confidence, and encouragement they need to succeed.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Yuma Backpack Giveaway:
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys continues its 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour with a successful stop in Mesa, Arizona, welcoming hundreds of families to AZ Athletic Grounds for an afternoon dedicated to helping students prepare for the upcoming school year.
The excitement started early as families lined up for the chance to receive one of 750 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. New for 2026, the first 550 K–12 students in line also received a FREE pair of brand-name shoes—including Nike, Converse, and Vans—helping even more children head back to the classroom feeling confident and prepared.
The giveaway quickly turned into a celebration of community. Kids cooled off with delicious ice cream and shaved ice, while colorful balloon art and face painting brought smiles to their faces. Families also took home plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag, including Frisbees, hats, sunglasses, water bottles, T-shirts, activity books, and drawstring bags, making the day even more memorable.
The Mesa backpack giveaway marks the second stop on Lerner and Rowe’s 7-city backpack giveaway tour, which will distribute 6,250 backpacks to students across four states during the 2026 back-to-school season. More than just providing school supplies, the annual initiative continues to bring communities together, helping local students begin the new school year with the tools, confidence, and encouragement they need to succeed.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s Mesa Backpack Giveaway:
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Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys kicked off its 2026 FREE Backpack Giveaway Tour in Albuquerque, providing 1,000 local students with backpacks filled with school supplies to help them prepare for the new school year.
The indoor community event was filled with excitement, featuring face painting, balloon art, ice cream from The Brain Freezer, and plenty of Lerner and Rowe swag, including water bottles, activity books, t-shirts, and drawstring bags.
Families enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon while receiving essential school supplies and celebrating the start of a new school year together.
Photos from Lerner and Rowe’s 2026 Albuquerque Backpack Giveaway:
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Lerner & Rowe celebrates the 2026 – 2027 school year by giving away 6,250 backpacks stuffed with school supplies in seven cities across the United States: Albuquerque, Phoenix, Yuma, Tucson, Las Vegas, and Northwest Indiana.
Make sure that you arrive on time to pick up your backpack before they are gone. Backpacks will only be provided to school-aged children that attend one of the giveaways in person.
Here’s where to find all the fun in a location near you:
Our team looks forward to sharing these events with our community neighbors!
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July 17, 2026— Glendale, AZ | Desert Diamond Arena (9400 West Maryland Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85305) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready to kick off the new school year with Lerner & Rowe at our free, indoor Glendale Back-to-School Giveaway! Hosted at Desert Diamond Arena, this family-friendly event will provide 1,000 free backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies to help local students start the year strong. While you’re there, you can beat the heat with complimentary ice cream, pick up some Lerner & Rowe swag, and enjoy entertainment from face painters and balloon artists. Backpacks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive one.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Glendale Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette at (602) 977-1900.
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August 1, 2026— Portage, Indiana | Portage Police Department (6260 Central Avenue, Portage, IN 46368) | 9:00 a.m. until supplies last
|Parking Tips: Parking is available in the surrounding business plazas and north of the event at Founder’s Square Park.
Join us for a fun-filled outdoor event as we give away 1,000 FREE backpacks filled with school supplies to local students! Families can also enjoy snacks, activities, and other giveaways while supplies last.
Students must be present to receive a backpack. Backpacks and snacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Anyone interested in learning more about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Portage, Indiana, Backpack Giveaway should contact Arianna Hensley by email at [email protected], or by phone at (708) 222-2222, ext. 6325.
Previous 2026 Backpack Giveaway Stops
July 7, 2026— Albuquerque, NM | EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 1,000 students who attend our indoor Albuquerque giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Albuquerque Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (505) 544-4444.
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July 9, 2026— Phoenix, AZ | AZ Athletic Grounds (6321 S Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212) | 5:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event begins and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot. Because the event will take place in Fieldhouse C, the best parking options for families are Lots 3 and 4, which offer ample parking and convenient access to the venue.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 750 students who attend our indoor backpack giveaway in the Phoenix East Valley will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Phoenix Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (602) 977-1900.
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July 11, 2026— Yuma, AZ | Yuma County Fairgrounds (2520 E 32nd St, Yuma, AZ 85365) | 2:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 1,000 students who attend our indoor Yuma giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Yuma Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (928) 222-2222.
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July 13, 2026— Tucson, AZ | Tucson Convention Center (260 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot. Complimentary parking will be located in Lot B on the day of the event. Families will enter through the Grand Lobby doors to the Copper Ballroom. There will be visible signs out leading the way.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 750 students who attend our indoor Tucson giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Tucson Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (520) 977-1900.
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July 15, 2026— North Las Vegas, NV | Mojave High School (5302 Goldfield St. North Las Vegas 89031) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
|Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
Get ready for back-to-school fun! Students who attend our indoor North Las Vegas giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! 750 backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREELas Vegas Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (702) 877-1500.
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back has supported the annual Summer of a Million Meals campaign for several years, including a $25,000 sponsorship in 2026. Our team was also grateful for the opportunity to volunteer during this year’s telethon and witness the generosity of the Arizona community firsthand.
Hosted by 12News and United Food Bank, the initiative raises critical funds to help families facing food insecurity during the summer months, when many children lose access to dependable school meals. Now in its ninth year, the campaign aims to provide 1 million meals to Arizona families in need.
Throughout the telethon, volunteers, donors, and community organizations came together with one shared goal: ensuring no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from. Seeing so many people rally around this mission was a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community works together to help others.
Summer can place added pressure on families already managing rising grocery costs, childcare expenses, and higher utility bills. Community support makes campaigns like this possible, and every donation helps put meals on the table for Arizona families. To learn more or make a contribution, visit United Food Bank.
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Lerner & Rowe Gives Back 5th Annual Cornhole Tournament in Crown Point brought together 105 teams, spectators, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors for a full day of competition and community at the largest cornhole tournament in the midwest.
When all was said and done, we raised close to $70,000 — every dollar of which goes directly back into the Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland communities we are proud to serve.
A Crown Point Cornhole Tournament for Every Skill Level
This year marked the first time we introduced three competitive divisions, giving players of all skill levels a true home in our tournament:
Pro
Competitive
Backyard
Administered by South of the River Baggers and run in a double-elimination format, the tournament brought out incredible talent from across the country.
Ten of the top-ranked professional cornhole players in the world made the trip to Crown Point, traveling from Texas, Florida, Missouri, and Ohio to compete alongside players from Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Every registered team received an event-day t-shirt and swag bag, but more importantly, every player, whether they came from across the country or just across town, competed on the same fields for the same community.
2026 Lerner & Rowe Gives Back Cornhole Tournament Champions
Division
Winners
Pro Division
Mark Richards & Trey Burchfield
Competitive Division
James Osborne & Andy Tibbe
Backyard Division
Tony Scheub & Kyle Kapitan
Last Man Standing
John Berg
Photo gallery from 2026 Crown Point cornhole tournament:
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back Crown Point cornhole tournament: Pro division winners Mark Richards & Trey Burchfield
Raffle and Last Man Standing: Every Dollar Counts
Beyond the bags and boards, this year’s event raised over $1,500 through two crowd favorites that kept the energy high from check-in to the final round.
Attendees had the chance to purchase raffle tickets for a premium $500 booze basket, generously sponsored by Horizon Bank, as well as entries into Last Man Standing, where one lucky winner took home $250. We are grateful to everyone who grabbed a ticket, entered the bracket, and gave a little extra to the cause.
Thank You to All Our Sponsors, Vendors, Players, and Volunteers
Every dollar raised from our 5th Annual Cornhole Tournament in Crown Point came from the generosity of this community. Competitors, vendors, volunteers, and spectators all played a part, and so did the incredible organizations that chose to put their names behind our mission.
A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, APM (Advanced Physical Medicine and APM Surgical Group LTD), whose support made this event possible at the highest level.
Thank you as well to our supporting sponsors — Sklare Law Group, La Clínica Injury Specialists, Custy Law Firm, Vito & Dollenmaier Law, and Lamar — for standing behind a cause that gives 100% back to the community.
Our beer garden was brought to life by Molson Coors and Carbliss, and our $500 booze basket raffle was generously sponsored by Horizon Bank.
Because of all of you, families across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland benefit from every registration, raffle ticket, and round played.
To every team that registered, whether you have been with us since year one or stepped on the boards for the first time this year, thank you for being part of it. Bulldog Park was filled with incredible energy all day long, and that is because this community continues to show up year after year.
Our team is proud of how much this tournament has grown, and we are already looking forward to what year six has in store.
Surpassing $1 Million in Community Reinvestment
The success of this year’s cornhole tournament is about more than one day at Bulldog Park. Every dollar raised adds to a milestone that Lerner & Rowe Gives Back has been building toward for over a decade: more than $1 million reinvested into the lives of families, students, first responders, and nonprofit organizations across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.
This tournament is a cornerstone of that fundraising achievement, and every team, sponsor, and volunteer who has ever shown up for it is part of that story. That milestone deserves to be celebrated, and it will be.
On Thursday, June 4, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back will host an evening reception at Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso, Indiana to mark the occasion. The event will bring together the foundation’s network of nonprofit partners, local chamber and business leaders, and invited guests for a night of hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and meaningful connections. More details to come.
For media inquiries or questions about the June 4 celebration, contact Outreach Director Arianna Hensley at 708-222-2222 ext. 6325 or [email protected].
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
At Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, we believe that community strength is measured by how we stand together in the face of adversity. That is why our team was honored to return as a sponsor for the Blood Cancer United (BCU) Visionaries of the Year Greater Phoenix Grand Finale.
It was a powerful evening spent alongside survivors, families, and advocates, all driven by a singular, urgent mission: creating a world entirely free of blood cancer.
What Is the Visionaries of the Year Campaign?
The Visionaries of the Year campaign is a high-impact, 10-week philanthropic competition that brings together Phoenix’s most dedicated leaders. These candidates and their teams hit the ground running to raise vital funds for Blood Cancer United in honor of local survivors, known as our Honored Heroes.
The competition culminates in the Grand Finale Gala, a premier event on the Greater Phoenix philanthropic calendar. This invitation-only evening features a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, and the highly anticipated announcement of the “Visionary of the Year”—the candidate whose team raised the most funds to fuel life-saving research.
Driving Life-Saving Research in Arizona and Beyond
Blood Cancer United (formerly recognized as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) stands as the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to blood cancer research and patient support. The impact of campaigns like Visionaries of the Year cannot be overstated:
$2 Billion Invested: Since 1949, BCU has funneled over $2 billion into cutting-edge research.
Advancing Treatment: This funding has fueled nearly every major breakthrough in blood cancer treatment over the last several decades.
The 2040 Goal: BCU is on a mission to help blood cancer patients worldwide gain one million years of life by 2040.
Our Continued Commitment to the Phoenix Community
Events like the Greater Phoenix Grand Finale prove that progress starts at the local level. By supporting these “Visionaries,” we aren’t just attending a gala; we are investing in a future where a cancer diagnosis is no longer life-altering.
We are incredibly grateful to Blood Cancer United for allowing us to be part of this journey once again. Most importantly, we are inspired by the candidates, volunteers, and survivors whose courage and grit make the Phoenix Visionaries of the Year competition a beacon of hope for so many.
Photos from the BCU Visionaries of the Year Greater Phoenix Grand Finale:
Lerner and Rowe Gives BackLerner and Rowe Gives Back
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back was proud to once again sponsor Mandy’s Farm’s annual Derby Party, a one-of-a-kind event that blends community, creativity, and philanthropy in support of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Held each year on the first Saturday of May, alongside the iconic Kentucky Derby, the event offers a playful twist on tradition with goat races.
Our team enjoyed embracing the spirit of the day while cheering on the crowd-favorite races, especially our sponsored goat, Totes-Mah-Goat.
At its core, Mandy’s Farm is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through accessible housing, meaningful employment, and strong community connections.
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back is honored to support an organization that creates opportunities, fosters inclusion, and builds a stronger sense of belonging within the community. It was a memorable day filled with fun, generosity, and impact, one that continues to make a lasting difference.
Photo gallery from the 2026 2026 Mandy’s Farm Derby Party:
