Founded in Dunedin by Rob Ditro in honor of his mother, Phyllis, who quietly donated backpacks to needy children for years, the project has grown from the 66 backpacks that showed up at her funeral into roughly 2,000 a year, collecting more than 10,000 backpacks and school supplies for every elementary school in Pinellas County over its lifetime. Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers has been a proud supporter of this program since its inception as a founding donor, and our attorneys and staff turn out each year for the project's backpack "stuffing party" rolling up our sleeves alongside other local businesses and volunteers to fill packs destined for classrooms across Pinellas and Pasco counties. Each season's drive is one we're glad to share with our community, because every pack stuffed is a head start for a kid who needs one.

Every backpack we give helps another child starts the school year ready to learn. We're honored to stand behind Rob's mission and behind Phyllis's legacy year after year.

There's nothing quite like a Friday night under the lights in Clearwater, and Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is honored to continue our partnership with Countryside High School football. For us, supporting the Cougars is an investment in the young people who make our community what it is.
This year, our commitment to the program comes with something we're especially proud of: three $500 scholarships awarded to student-athletes throughout the season, presented on the field during some of the Cougars' biggest home games. These young men work hard in the classroom and on the field, and we can't wait to celebrate them in front of the families, coaches, and classmates who cheer them on.

You'll also find us where the action is. Look for the Roman Austin tent at home games, where our team loves connecting with families, handing out giveaways, and being part of the Friday night tradition. When the Cougars take the field this fall, we'll be right there with them.

We've partnered with Suncoast Animal League to launch From Rescued to Ready! Where we sponsor monthly spay and neuter procedures to help rescued animals become healthy and adoption-ready to find their "furever" home.

For partner Miles H. Hickman, the campaign is personal. A dog lover with rescued dogs of his own, Miles has supported Suncoast Animal League for years; showing up for Dogtoberfest and the Ride for the Animals each November. As he puts it, helping people rebuild their lives after they're injured is the day job, so helping give animals a second chance is a natural fit and close to his heart.

That's the idea behind From Rescued to Ready: an ongoing monthly commitment to fund the medical care that moves an animal from rescued to ready. Suncoast directs the support where it's needed most; spay and neuter procedures, vaccinations, and other treatments, whether for an individual animal or a whole litter. That medical step is one of the biggest hurdles between a rescue animal and a forever home. That's the heart of From Rescued to Ready: turning second chances into forever homes, month after month.

The Arbor Vitae Society is a fundraising arm for the Morton Plant Mease Healthcare Foundation.  Arbor Vitae members increase awareness of community health care and inspire support for the Foundation by providing educational opportunities and active roles in philanthropy. 

Carol-Lynn Roman was an active Board Member of this society for 4 years, rising to Vice Chair for 1 year.  Mark & Carol-Lynn Roman were members for 5 years.

The Homeless Emergency Project (HEP) aims to break the cycle of homelessness for thousands of people each year by providing homeless and low-income individuals and families, including veterans, with housing, food, clothing, and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and an improved quality of life. 

Carol-Lynn Roman, our firm’s Chief Operating Officer, was instrumental in rebranding the HEP marketing team’s vision and the creation of its new logo as a Board Member.  The firm has donated to support countless of its programs. 

The mission of Leadership Pinellas is to develop and enhance community leadership by developing leaders in Pinellas County.  The selection process to be included in this community of leaders is rigorous. 

The program develops well informed, committed and passionately engaged leaders which are vital for a positive community for current and future generations.  Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is proud to have 3 Leadership Pinellas graduates at our firm. 

• Carol-Lynn Roman
• Mark Roman
• Ashley Elo

Carol-Lynn Roman also chaired the Environment and Infrastructure program days for five continuous years. We remain active in our support of this program, donating to the Youth Leadership Program, which provides scholarships for high school-age candidates to participate in the Youth section of this program. 

This guild fundraises for the children and families receiving medical care at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. 

Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers has participated in and donated to the annual golf tournament which provides much-needed fundraising for families in need.

The Boomer Esiason Foundation raises money to fight cystic fibrosis.   Each year this Foundation is successful in contributing tremendously to the advances in cystic fibrosis research and to address the needs of the CF community. Our firm’s COO, Carol-Lynn Roman, raised over $30,000 when she ran the New York City Marathon, as part of Team Boomer, with the Boomer Esiason Foundation. 

She is very grateful to all friends and business associates who helped her meet her goal of raising over $25,000.   There have been astounding scientific advances in the treatment of CF over the past few years. A cure is in sight!