When the League entrusted me with one day being its president some 18 months ago, I never could have imagined that at that time my term began we would be months into a global pandemic with no end in sight Like many of you, I felt unmoored back in March of this year when my social calendar dried up and the community activities I have enjoyed dedicating - Continued
06 05 03 04 LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT WHAT'S INSIDE
LESLEY SHAMBLIN
on page 2 F A L L 2 0 2 0 MOUNTAIN MESSAGES 18 CALIFORNIA AVE • JLCHARLESTONWV ORG Volunteer Opportunities Backpack Buddies All Aboard Provisional Project Membership Update Book Club 2020-21 Placements Member Spotlight
LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT
my time to in past years came to a screeching halt But during these tumultuous times, the need in our community remains and, as our community partners have seen over the past seven months, has grown Because the League has a long history of rising to the challenge when those in our city need us, we knew we couldn’t stop volunteering just because it seemed like the world around us had stilled
So far this year, our members have already racked up over 100 service hours picking vegetables at Manna Meal’s community garden, collecting litter around Charleston, and donating blood at the American Red Cross We continued our annual All Aboard! Charleston event benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern West Virginia in a virtual format and have joined RMHC for a “Wear to Share” t-shirt fundraiser that took place earlier this month on social media I can’t wait to find out how much we ’ ve raised for the playroom! Our Backpack Buddies signature project, which found a new home last year at Mary C Snow West Side Elementary, is now expanding to include children at Grandview Elementary as well I could not be prouder of the work the
League is still doing in our community
Even though we can’t get together in person for membership activities, we haven’t forgotten how to have fun! Our monthly book club, which we began last year, has transitioned to Zoom In October, our members competed in a virtual pumpkin carving contest, with the winner to be chosen by our Facebook fans on Halloween Although I look forward to a return to in-person meetings and membership events, I am grateful that the internet has allowed us to stay connected when we otherwise wouldn’t be able to That’s a great thing because our members are truly inspiring! At our September GMM, we recognized Jenn Herrald Oakley for the tireless work she’s done for Kanawha County’s COVID-19 response, and in October, we thanked Adrienne Kastan for her excellent job chairing the fall fundraiser With members like that, the League has a bright future ahead
I am honored to lead the League, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish this year
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
CANDACE NELSON
Community Committee Chair
We have been working to provide a number of opportunities - both virtual and in person All active members are required to complete 12 volunteer service hours during this League year Keep an eye out for all the opportunities and complete those you are able to in order to reach your goal
Where to find a running list: Facebook: Junior League of Charleston, WV - Private Group Member Essentials: A running list of volunteer opportunities in the Member Portal
Any questions or volunteer suggestions, feel free to reach out. Email your hours to volunteerjlcwv@gmail.com
Ongoing volunteer opportunities: Blood donation: 1 hr per donation monetary donation
RMHC dinners: 1 hr for $15 food or Manna Meal: 1 hr for $15 food or
Girl Scouts: 1 hr for $15 donation monetary donation
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CITY OF CHARLESTON TEAM-UP TO CLEAN-UP OCTOBER 3, 2020
BACKPACK BUDDIES
BLAIR WESSELS & SUMMER RAY
On October 28th our signature project held the first bag packing session for this league year The 120 bags that were made were delivered to support the students at Mary C Snow Elementary and Grandview Elementary
As we have expanded this program, there is a need for funding Please reach out to the Board if you are interested in sponsoring a backpack stuffing Donations of plastic grocery bags are also needed to help make sure we have enough on hand each month to continue this project
FIFTH ANNUAL ALL ABOARD
ADRIENNE KASTAN Fall Fundraiser Chair
No worries about the weather for this year's event! We partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern West Virginia to provide a virtual tour With our annual All Board event we also partnered with RMHC for their #WearToShare2020 event The purchase of these t-shirts helped us get our playroom commitment down to around $6,900. Thanks for everyone's hard work!
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Backpack Buddies packing session at JL of Charleston office.
PROVISIONAL PROJECT
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
FIRST RESPONDER CARE PACKAGES BOURBON BREAD PUDDING
Virtual meetings and social distancing did not stop our Fall provisional members from organizing a great project! Donations were collected to put together 13 care packages to thank our local heroes for all they have done during the pandemic
BIG thank you to Chef John Macklin, husband of JL member Arienne Kastan, for teaching our virtual cooking class. Bourbon bread pudding was a hit!
BOOK CLUB
RYANNE BALL Membership Committee Chair
The JL book club continues to grow and meet each month November's book is Pretty Things by Janelle Brown Pick the book up today and start reading so you can join the zoom call on November 30 to discuss and catch up with other JL members
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Meghan Capps, Jessica Shortridge, Elleyse Gemondo, Stephanie Moran, Lindsey Powell, and Sayde Spears did a great job with this project!
President: Lesley Shamblin
President Elect: Taylor Bailey
Treasurer: Erin Deegan
Treasurer Elect: Myranda Pike
Executive VP: Kristen Ross
Secretary: Samantha Nygaard
Membership Committee Chair: Ryanne Ball
Placement Advisors: Laura Suppa Sammons, Ashley Miller, Jordan Martin, Megan Kueck
Provisional Development Chair: Emily Watson Sustainer Development Chair: Jessica Westfall
Historian & Newsletter Editor: Tracy Bess
Membership Committee Members: Melinda Greathouse, Rachel Taylor & Katie Robeson
Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs: Judith Watkins (Spring), Adrienne Kastan (Fall) Fundraising Committee Members: Ashley Miller, Kayla Bays, Laura Babiak, Candice Harlow, Mikayla Dent
Grant Coordinator & Scholarship Reviewer: Beth Belcher
Community Committee Chair: Candace Nelson
Signature Project Co-Chairs: Blair Wessels & Summer Ray
Ronald McDonald House Board Member: Jennifer Herrald
Daymark Board Member: Emily Spradling
NICU Liaison: Kara Boehm
Gabriel Project Liaison: Maggie Payne
Public Relations Coordinator: Candace Nelson
Website & Social Media Coordinator: Candace Nelson
Community Committee Members: Maggie Payne
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
Occupation: Senior IT Business Analyst / Adjuct Professor of Voice / Musician
Years in Junior League: 5 Hobbies: Singing / Performing, being active, attending music festivals
Favorite
OF THE GREATEST GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE IS YOUR TIME
ONE
JL Moment: Summer 2019 - present RMHC a $15k check
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Favorite Movie: Life is Beautiful ASHLEY DANNEWITZ MILLER 2020-21 PLACEMENTS
