Second-Year Extended Division Student Kerry Pierce Brings Creativity, Compassion to Astonishing Advocate Campaign
From stay-at-home mom to law student and now a community fundraiser with a flair for performance, second-year extended division Widener Law Commonwealth student Kerry Pierce is stepping into the spotlight—literally—for this year’s Astonishing Advocate campaign, hosted by the Dauphin County Bar Foundation.
She’s not just raising funds. She’s raising spirits.
Pierce is the third student from Widener Law Commonwealth to participate in the campaign, which benefits the We Care About Children initiative. The program funds a family law attorney at MidPenn Legal Services in Harrisburg who provides legal aid to low-income families facing challenging custody cases.
“This cause really struck a chord with me,” Pierce said. “As a mom, I believe every child deserves dignity and compassion, no matter their circumstances. I didn’t want to wait until graduation to start making a difference.”
Following in the footsteps of Grace Mills and Kendyl Swank, who raised nearly $7,000 last year as the school’s first student participants, Pierce is hoping to surpass that benchmark through two immersive fundraising events: a stand-up comedy night and a fully produced murder mystery ball.
The Comedy, Just Cause show will be held May 31 at the Country Club of Harrisburg and features local favorite Earl David Reed, a buffet dinner, drink ticket, silent auction, and plenty of laughs. Later, on June 21, she’ll transform the historic—and rumored-to-be-haunted—Dauphin County Courthouse into the setting for a dramatic, interactive Murder Mystery Ball.
The show? An original courtroom-themed murder mystery written by Pierce herself. The cast? A mix of professional actors and courthouse volunteers. The goal? “To get people off the couch, bring them together, and support a great cause,” she said.
Pierce has invited a cross-section of the community, from judges and politicians to law firm leaders and local press, to both participate and amplify the campaign’s message. “Access to legal aid isn’t just a legal issue,” she said. “It’s a community issue.”
As a one-woman planning team, Pierce admits there have been challenges—especially getting people to commit to in-person events in a post-pandemic world. But she’s leaned into the experience, learning everything from website building to vendor negotiation. “This campaign has taught me that if something needs to be done, you find a way,” she said.
Her website, www.KerrysEvents.com, offers event details, ticket sales, and a donation button for those unable to attend. Donations are also accepted by mail through the Dauphin County Bar Foundation, with tax receipts provided.
Looking ahead, Pierce is already organizing another event—a 5K and 1-mile run this fall to support the Spirit of Service’s Wills for Heroes program. “I may not be able to help everyone,” she said, “but I can give people hope.”
Support from the community has already made a difference. One standout moment came when she discovered an alumna of the law school was working with the governor’s office during her correspondence on her event. Another? When Widener Law Commonwealth Professor Randy Lee agreed to join the cast of the murder mystery.
“I’ve met some of the most impressive, supportive people through this,” she said. “And I’m proud to be part of something bigger than myself.”
For Pierce, the campaign is more than a line on her resume—it’s a statement of who she is and the kind of lawyer she’s becoming.
“There is always hope,” she said. “And each of us has the power to make a difference.”
To attend or support Kerry’s campaign:
Comedy, Just Cause – May 31 | 5:30–9:30 p.m. | Country Club of Harrisburg
Murder Mystery Ball – June 21 | 6–10 p.m. | Dauphin County Courthouse
Event details and donations: www.KerrysEvents.com
