MOUNTAIN MESSAGES 18 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SPRING 2020
League announces new placements
Junior League of Charleston Placement Chair Emily Spradling led a team
to design and implement the AJLI’s new Placement Matching tool for the upcom-
ing league year, allowing members to get the most out of their membership
experience. See a full list of 2020-21 League Placements on Page 5.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ASHLEY MILLER PAGE 2
DRESS FOR SUCCESS RIVER CITIES INITIATIVE PAGE 3
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLESTON EVENT UPDATES PAGE 4
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SPRING 2020
Letter from President Ashley Miller As we close out our 96th year of service amidst a global pandemic, (never thought I’d say that!) it’s easy to forget how much we’ve accomplished this League year. It also feels like September 2019 was five years ago! So, I’d like to take this time to reflect on all the good that we’ve done this year as a League. We ushered in a new Strategic Plan, revised our Bylaws and Membership Policies, revamped our Board of Directors and Committee structures, implemented a brand new Placement Matching tool, successfully raised $4,400 toward our Ronald McDonald House Playroom commitment and completed 438 total volunteer hours. Wow, to say “I’m proud” is an understatement. I am so optimistic about our future in Charleston and I know it is in excellent hands with our incoming president, Lesley Shamblin. She’s an incredible leader and already has great ideas for next
year. II would like to take a moment to thank the membership, especially the Board of Directors, for their positivity and determination to keep our active membership close over these past 10 weeks during the WV “Stay at Home” orders. We’ve hosted many Zoom calls to strategize and work through the issues our League may face if we have to continue to stay home. It was a tough decision to cancel our remaining membership events and Spring Fundraiser – but we have high hopes for our Fall Fundraiser in September and look forward to getting together to celebrate our accomplishments over the Summer when the city re-opens! The hardest part is certainly the unknown. I want to again encourage everyone that we will get through this. The disruption, fear and impact on our lives is not something that any of us desire, but it will be short-term in
the grand scheme of things. Like history has shown many times, we will bounce back, stronger than before. Continue to set good examples to those around us and contribute your time, energy and resources in our community as needs arise and you are able. Despite this weird ending to the League year, I am still very humbled and proud to have served as your President. Together, WE GOT THIS. Your friend, Ashley
CHEF’S CHALLENGE The JLC volunteered for the Covenant House’s Chef Challenge on March 3. The event featured local chefs who create dishes with food typically found in the food pantry. Proceeds benefited the Covenant House’s mission, which aims to help those with the fewest resources meet their basic needs.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SPRING 2020
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Member Kristen Ross spearheaded an initiative to solicit donations for Dress for Success River Cities, which empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The Junior League of Charleston donated dozens of clothes, shoes and accessories to the nonprofit.
Congratulations to these Junior League members! Kristen Ross is engaged.
Candice Harlow gave birth to a baby boy.
Jennifer Herrald is married.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SPRING 2020
BACKPACK BUDDIES Backpack Buddies is one of the Junior League of Charleston’s signature projects. It started as a provisional project and has expanded to a year-round initiative to benefit children in the local area. The league partners with Mary C Snow West Side Elementary School where we donate about 80 snack bags monthly. Kate Carter and Tracy Ward Bess led this year’s project.
OTHER UPDATES Book Club: The League Book Club continued to meet monthly. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston was the most recent choice. Ronald McDonald House Dinners: The League has continued its commitment to providing a monthly dinner to the Ronald McDonald House, which members pay for and prepare. Girl Scouts of Black Diamond: The League held its spring
meeting at the Girl Scouts, where it bought Girl Scout cookies to support the girls’ goals, as well as began volunteering as mentors for the girls’ Gold Award projects. Provisional Project: Kayla Bays, Laura Babiak and Jude Watkins worked hard on their project to donate essentials to elderly amidst COVID-19. They made several donations.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
GALENTINE’S DAY COOKIES
LEFT TO RIGHT: Kate Carter, Sam Nygaard and Tracy Ward Bess learn to decorate cookies as part of a membership activity hosted by member Emily Watson. Each member decorated a set of six cookies and put finishing touches on the cactus-themed cookies.
SPRING 2020
Placements 2020-21
President: Lesley Shamblin President Elect: Taylor Bailey Treasurer: Erin Deegan Treasurer Elect: Myranda Pike Executive Vice President: 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) Grants Coordinator & Scholarship Reviewer: Beth Belcher Fundraising Committee Members: Ashley Miller, Kayla Bays, Laura Babiak, Candice Harlow, Mikayla Dent 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: Michelle Storage Public Relations Coordinator: Candace Nelson Website & Social Media Coordinator: McKenzie Greer Community Committee Members: Maggie Payne & Crystal Mount
Member Spotlight Q&A 1. Name: Taylor Bailey 2. Hometown: South Charleston, West Virginia 3. Occupation: Accountant at Rollins, Cleavenger, and Rollins, CPA 4. Junior League Position: Treasurer 5. Years in Junior League: 3 6. Hobbies: Traveling, reading, working out, building with Legos, watching movies and tv, singing, and playing
with my dog Finn 7. Favorite Junior League Moment: Going out to dinner with and getting to know better the other actives 8. Favorite Junior League Volunteer Activity: Green Chili Cook-off 9. Favorite Movie: Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby 10. Favorite Spring Activity: playing tennis and anticipating the end of tax season
Taylor Bailey