The Charleston County Bar Association (CCBA) knows how much lawyers cost - especially lawyers trying to clear title for complex heirs' property cases. So they have generously contributed $10,000 to support the Center for Heirs' Property Preservation which has provided free legal, mediation and educational services to more than 3,200 heirs' property owners in Charleston County over the past five years.

"The Center provides the advocacy and the means for owners to clear title and retain properties that have been in their families for over 100 years, in some cases, and have become subject to pressure from investors for development," said Randell Stoney, president of the Charleston County Bar Association. "It was during Marvin Infinger's tenure as president of the Charleston County Bar Association that we first began to undertake this project and consider how we could be a part of their effort. It is not only the displacement of people and their loss of land occupied for generations, but also the gradual dilution of a culture that is so uniquely the Carolina Lowcountry."

"Once again our Bar stepped up to a most worthy cause," said Mark Andrews, immediate past president of the Charleston County Bar Association. "It is our goal for the resources of the CCBA to be used to advance the common good of our community and to champion the cause of the vulnerable and less fortunate. On behalf of the members of our association, I want to thank the Center for allowing us this opportunity to join in this endeavor."

The struggle for heirs' property is one of self determination and preservation of land, legacy and heritage - a struggle that the Charleston County Bar Association has supported by this generous gift to the Center for Heirs' Property Preservation. Way to raise the bar!

The Center's story is one of 33 stories included in Breakthrough Communities, which focuses on regional equity issues, issues of race, and connection to place and offers models for organizing and action.