MOUNTAIN MESSAGES 18 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
WINTER 2020
Junior League hosts holiday parties The Junior League of Charleston held its annual “Ugly Sweater” Party at Ichiban in downtown Charleston on Thursday, Dec. 12. More than 30 members attended the party and many participated in the cookie swap, which featured a number of creative cookies like s’mores, Frosted Flake wreathes, sugar cookies and Girl Scout cookies. Ichiban provided a spread of custom sushi, meatballs, vegetable trays, sliders, and more. Both actives and sustainers held respective parties to celebrate the holiday and successes from the year. Thanks to all who participated and enjoyed the party!
Both active and sustaining members of the Junior League of Charleston held holiday parties in December. They included a cookie exchange and custom sushi tray from Ichiban.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ASHLEY MILLER PAGE 2
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PLAYROOM UPDATE PAGE 3
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLESTON EVENT UPDATES PAGE 4
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
WINTER 2020
Letter from President Ashley Miller Happy New Year 2020! The beginning of a new year is always my favorite part of the year; resolutions are set, families are back home from visiting relatives and winter weather really starts to set in - the year is off to a fresh start. I take this time to look back on the previous year and look at all that we’ve accomplished and how we can set opportunities for growth. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone for making the Fall such a success. The largest being that between the Sustainer and Active donations and our Fall Fundraiser profits, we raised $4,170 toward our Ronald McDonald House Playroom commitment! Other winter accomplishments include supplying over 400 bags of supplemental meals to children as part of our Backpack Buddies signature project, donating 101 books to the CAMC Women &
Children’s NICU, and our lovely fall Provisionals ended the year hosting a fun holiday bingo event for a local Nursing Home. To say “I’m proud of our little League” is an understatement. As we look forward to 2020 and say “goodbye” to 2019, we have much to be excited about. We are welcoming new Provisional members later this month, we are hosting a clothing drive for Dress for Success, have strong speakers lined up for our General Membership Meetings, we will soon launch the brand new Placement Matching Tool for our members and our Spring Fundraising committees are enthusiastically planning our fundraiser for early May again, stay tuned for more details! In closing, as President of the JLC, my goal is to continue to EMPOWER each member to be-
come better leaders, volunteers and women as you all have empowered me already this League year. Our members are busy women with careers and children who give their heart and passion to this organization and I am truly grateful. They are a blessing to the Charleston community and are UNSTOPPABLE. Cheers to an empowered 2020! Ashley
Junior League in India Rachel Taylor traveled to Mysore Palace in India for work with her colleagues - all while sporting her Junior League of Charleston shirt.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
WINTER 2020
THANK YOU
RMHC of Southern West Virginia is able to provide all basic needs in order to allow families to remain close to a hospitalized child. Every night families are able to rest a little easier knowing that they are just a short walk away from their loved ones.
Ronald McDonald House Playroom update The Junior League of Charleston has made a commitment to fund the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern West Virginia Playroom. The following sustainers have contributed to this goal: Nancy Droppleman Marie Nexus
Pat Bibbee Victoria Johnson Stuart Lewis Smith Elizabeth Weisberg Catherine Bauer Nancy Dodson Rebecca Ross Roberta Fowlkes Sharon Curnutte Judy Pugh Elizabeth Beury Amy Swann
Jane McEldowney Melanie Van Metre Margaret Goldsmith Betty Ireland Charlotte Stallard Cathy Rice Teddi Smith Alice Abernethy Vickie McLaughlin Jane Ray Thank you to all the supporters for con-
tributing to this worthy cause. We currently need to raise $12,564 to meet our $50,000 commitment. If you’d like to contribute to the playroom fundraising, please contact Treasurer Taylor Bailey at TBailey@ rcrcpa.com.
Congratulations to these Junior League members! Lauren Gates married Scott Risden in November.
Christina Byrd gave birth to a baby. President Ashley Miller gave birth to a baby.
Candice Harlow is expecting a baby.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
WINTER 2020
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
OTHER UPDATES Spring Fundraiser Keep an eye out for updates for this year’s spring fundraiser, which is tentatively set for May 8. Book Club The Junior League of Charleston Book Club continues to meet monthly. February’s choice is “Educated” by Tara Westover. NICU Book Drive In December, the Junior League collected more than 100
books to donate to NICU families to read and keep during their stay. The books were placed inside of stockings for CAMC, Cabell, Thomas Memorial, Lil’s Place and the new Baby Steps unit at Thomas.
Dress for Success The Junior League is helping Dress for Success in February by donating semipressional and professional clothes and shoes in good condition for the organization and women in need.
Ronald McDonald House Dinners The Junior League of Charleston has continued its commitment to providing a monthly dinner to the Ronald McDonald House, which members pay for and prepare. Galentine’s Day Cookie Class Emily Watson is hosting a cookie decorating class on Galentine’s Day - February 13.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
Placements 2019-20
BACKPACK BUDDIES
Kate Carter and Tracy Ward Bess co-chair Backpack Buddies. They were able to set it up with Mary C Snow West Side Elementary School, and they hope to keep it there next year as well. The Junior League donates roughly 80 snack bags to the elementary school on the second Friday of every month. To date, the Junior League of Charleston has donated roughly 400 snack bags. If anyone would like to participate or contribute the group meets the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the Junior League office.
Member Spotlight Q&A 1. Name: Ryanne Ball 2. Hometown: Oak Hill, West Virginia 3. Occupation: Attorney 4. Junior League of Charleston Position: Membership Vice President 5. Years in Junior League: Three years 6. Hobbies: Reading, traveling, attending concerts
7. Favorite Junior League Moment: Salsa dancing at the Fiesta de Mayo last year 8. Favorite Junior League Volunteer Activity: Making decorations for Girls Night Out 9.Favorite Movie: Beauty & The Beast 10. Favorite Winter Activity: Reading because it’s too cold to do anything outside.
WINTER 2020
Ryanne Ball
President: Ashley Miller President Elect: Lesley Shamblin Secretary: Lindsay Silbernagel Treasurer: Taylor Bailey Treasurer Elect: Erin Deegan Membership Vice President: Ryanne Ball Communications Vice President: Lauren Gates Community Vice President: Kristen Ross Ways and Means Vice President: Megan Kueck Placement Chair: Emily Spradling Provisional Chair #1: Candice Harlow Provisional Chair #2: Jessica Westfall Director at Large: Maggie Payne Nominating Chair: Laura Suppa Sammons