Dils
CHARLESTON -- As friends, parents, or other relatives sit on the sidelines watching the children play Little League Baseball and a variety of other sports, the team's sponsors probably do not come to mind much during the game.
But every team has to get money for their uniforms and equipment somewhere, and that is the area where attorney Jan Dils comes in for a few West Virginia teams.
"I give donations to the field every year so they can upkeep the facilities," said Dils, who specializes in Social Security and disability issues. "It's in my budget every year for the Little League and the league in Logan County. I go to the ball games ... not every one, but some of them."
Dils sponsors teams in Parkersburg and Logan County.
"I've never been approached in Charleston," she said.
Dils is big on giving back to the community.
"I was involved in Little League when I was growing up, and my kids are involved," she said. "I just thought it was a good way to give back to the community.
"It's the best thing there is. It's just a great organization. It teaches kids responsibility and teamwork."
Another law firm that has sponsored sports teams in the area is Richard Holtzapfel Law Offices PLLC.
"I try to help out wherever I can," Holtzapfel said. "I've bought ads for the Hurricane football program, and I've done things for the Winfield soccer team.
"Occasionally. we have to provide them with a logo or information for the uniforms."
Holtzapfel said he opened his own practice in March 2005.
Since then, "I've been sponsoring one Little League team, a baseball team, and one basketball team," he said. "Mostly they've been teams my son has been on. "
Though Holtzapfel has sponsored sports teams in the past, he said he currently isn't doing so.
"The last team I did was probably his basketball team from this past winter," he said.
Holtzapfel also believes it is important to give back to the community.
"I think sports teaches them a lot about how to become an adult," he said. "I think any businesses in the community should be helping out. It's very rewarding to be able to help out, even if its just in a little way."
Dils has law offices in Parkersburg and Charleston. Holtzapfel's office is in Hurricane.