Hale Law Awards 2026 Scholarship to Inspiring Student Nonprofit Founder

Hale Law, a personal injury firm serving Florida's Gulf Coast, has awarded its 2026 Hale Helps™ Scholarship to Melanie Kersten, a graduating high school senior from the region. The $1,000 scholarship recognizes students who reflect on one of the firm's core values through a personal story. Melanie plans to attend Florida State University this fall, where she will continue growing her nonprofit, Bags of Care, and expand its impact through a student organization dedicated to community service.

Melanie's application stood out for her extraordinary commitment to serving others. After watching her mother battle breast cancer, she founded Bags of Care, which creates and delivers care packages to cancer patients. Through grassroots fundraising and community support, she has raised over $1,000 and personally delivered 60 care packages to patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital—the latter having saved her life when she was three. In addition, Melanie has volunteered more than 500 hours through Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Teen Volunteer Program. Hale Law also supported her mission by helping fund supplies, with Co-Managing Partner Patrick Iyampillai joining her to assemble care bags.

The Hale Helps™ Scholarship is part of the firm's wider community program, which also includes a Teacher of the Year award, an annual backpack giveaway, and a Student of the Month recognition. Applicants submitted a 750- to 1,000-word essay, a resume, and a transcript. The scholarship reflects Hale Law's commitment to investing in local students whose leadership and service strengthen the communities they call home. Hale Law is a Sarasota-based personal injury firm founded in 2018, representing clients in car accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases across eight Gulf Coast offices.