The Junior League of Charleston had a fun-filled fall, and also had the opportunity to serve our community in a variety of ways Despite the challenges we all face of living in a pandemic, the Junior League has found ways to continue to partner with and serve the local area that we all love
05 Member Spotlight Membership Update WHAT'S INSIDE F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 MOUNTAIN MESSAGES 18 CALIFORNIA AVE • JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG 02 03 Letter from Our President Volunteer Update Fall Fundraiser Update 04 OUT WITH THE OLD (2021), IN WITH THE NEW (2022)
LETTER
FROM OUR PRESIDENT TAYLOR BAILEY
As we head into 2022, the Junior League of Charleston has a lot to reflect on We started the fall with the first general membership meeting of the League year with help from a few of our sustainers and friends It was so lovely to see everyone and to enjoy the Capitol Market Pavilion while still maintaining appropriate social distancing Cathy Rice, Dr Hillary Homburg, Betty Ireland, Amanda Ream, and Kay Goodwin shared stories from their time in the JLC and they explained how being an active member helped them prepare to become the civic leaders they are today. At the meeting we kicked off our drive for the United Way’s Day of Caring by collecting supplies for the animals at the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association We were fortunate enough to have our November meeting at the United Way. Executive Director Margaret O’Neal educated us on the amazing work they do in their soon-to-be six countywide area.
All of our members were asked to bring donations for their month-long warming drive Our donations will be used at their warming stations this winter at the Salvation Army or provided outside the United Way’s office for anyone in need Following Margaret’s talk we took time to help organize all our donations and their multitude of children's shoe donations I’m happy to say we donated 50 coats, 63 hats, 89 pairs of gloves, 37 scarfs, 123 hand warmers and several other items! November continued to be a busy month as we held our first in-person fundraiser since the start of the pandemic. At Modern Mountain Measures everyone had a wonderful time connecting with new and old friends over a delicious meal prepared by Chef Paul Smith and his staff at 1010 Bridge Restaurant and Catering inspired by recipes in both JLC cookbooks.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket! Based on the wonderful feedback we received and the modest profit made, we are hopeful this will become a new JLC tradition. The thing I am most proud of is after six long years, we have finally fulfilled our commitment of $50,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Playroom As the former treasurer of the JLC, I can honestly say this journey was not always an easy one. Leadership changes within both organizations and a global pandemic diminishing our fundraising efforts caused us to modify our original timeline, but we have come through on the other side. The JLC’s relationship with RMHC is the strongest it has been since I joined the League, and I look forward to us continuing to work with their executive director Brooke Hylbert and the rest of her team With the first half of the League year in the rearview mirror, I can’t wait to see the amazing things we all do next!
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
STEPHANIE WATERS
We completed roughly 530 volunteer hours this year! Thanks to everyone for stepping up to serve our community, even during the midst of a pandemic
Special thanks to our top volunteers including Taylor Bailey with 98.5 hours, Adrienne Kastan with 43.5 hours, and Kara Boehm with 42 hours.
Email your hours to volunteerjlcwv@gmail.com
Several
Ongoing volunteer opportunities:
Blood donation: 1 hr per donation
RMHC dinners: 1 hr for $20 food or monetary donation
Girl Scouts: 1 hr for $20 donation
Manna Meal: 1 hr for $20 food or monetary donation
Special recognition is well deserved by the new provisional class for contributing 61.5 volunteer hours before they were even full and official members of the League! We can't wait to see what you all continue to contribute now that you are official members
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Running for a Cause
members ran the virtual Diaper Dash 5K supporting the Gabriel Project OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS
AN EVENING WITH THE WV UNITED WAY
Our members enjoyed having a GMM meeting at the United Way and helping them organize their closet of winter donations so that they can help keep our community safe and warm this winter We organized socks, shoes, and winter coats enabling the United Way to efficiently provide them to those in need. Members also provided donations to contribute to the closet!
FALL FUNDRAISER UPDATE
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Thank you to everyone that participated in the partnership between Chef Paul Smith at 1010 Bridge Resturant and the Junior League for Modern Mountain Measures- a prix fixe dinner based on Junior League cookbooks! Delicious food and many laughs were shared by all in attendance, and those who ordered the meal to-go
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
ERIN DEEGAN CONNER
Hometown: Cross Lanes, WV Occupation: Accoutant Years in Junior League: 4 Hobbies: Traveling & Relaxing Favorite JL Moment: My favorite that comes to mind right now is our membership event at Axes and Ales! There were only a few of us in attendance, but it was an absolute blast.
Post-COVID activity most looking foward to: International Travel!
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
RYANNE BALL
Book club has been meeting and enjoyed all kinds of fare while discussing the read of the month Be sure to check out the group in the new year!
Let us all extend a thank you to Ryanne for planning and putting on a wonderful Holiday Party for us at the Women's Club of Charleston
PROVISIONAL RECRUITMENT UPDATE
ELLEYSE GEMONDO & LESLEY SHAMBLIN
We want to extend a warm welcome to the newest members of the Junior League of Charleston; the Fall 2021 Provisional Class! There are some anticipated mix and mingles events in the works to begin selecting the Spring 2021 provisional class. If you know of anyone interested in joining, be sure to direct them to our website to fill out a new member application
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