Catalysts
For 74 years, the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County has offered women opportunities to volunteer, fundraise, and network. We recognize the individuality and passions of each of our members. We know some members love the Junior League for the opportunity to partner with various nonprofits, while others prefer to focus on initiatives like the Diaper Bank of North Georgia or our new Literacy Initiative launching next year. Many gain a sense of accomplishment from fundraising, and some love to promote the League at community events.
In recognition of each League member’s passion, the JLGHC rolled out a Build Your Own Experience model for the 2024-2025 League year. Members voted the previous League year to implement a model that would allow each member to pick and choose where they spent their time. Points are awarded for participation in a variety of
League activities: Diaper Bank packing and distribution, completing a Done in A Day project, and meeting fundraising goals.
In addition to the Build Your Own Experience model, this League year saw the introduction of a new member portal: Member Essentials. Member Essentials is user-friendly and allows members to track their standing with BYOE. Additional features include a calendar for League events, a mobile app, and space for League announcements. Member Essentials also links to our new website- another exciting development for this League year! The Junior League of GainesvilleHall County utilized services offered by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) to roll out both Member Essentials and the new website.
Feedback from membership in recent years has led League leadership
to introduce new programs and partnerships so members get the most out of their experience. One of these programs is EmpowHER, which leadership introduced with the EmpowHER Net Worth event. Another is a new partnership with WomenSource, which automatically grants membership to active and provisional members as a perk. More about WomenSource is available at their website womensource.info and social media handles (Facebook: WomenSource, Inc.; Instagram: @womensourceinc; LinkedIn: WomenSource, Inc.).
It is the goal of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County for each woman to feel empowered, accepted, and appreciated for their unique qualities and passions. Whatever YOUR passion, there’s a place for you at the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County!
UPCOMING 2025 EVENTS
FEBRUARY 1, 2025
EmpowHER Confidence in Colour
FEBRUARY 4, 2025
February General
Membership Meeting
Galantines with Kay Paschal
FEBRUARY 6, 2025
Strategic Plan Survey Due
FEBRUARY 22, 2025
Mental Health First Aid Training
March 4, 2025
March General Membership
Meeting Voting Meeting
April 1, 2025
April General Membership Meeting
May 6, 2025
May Dinner
June 2025
Battle of the Brunches
PRESIDENT ’S MESSAGE
A message from President Ashley Davis
BOARD MEMBERS/LEADERSHIP 2024-2025 Board of Directors/Leadership
12
LITTLE BLACK DRESS INITIATIVE
The LBDI fundraiser sheds light on women and children living in poverty
HURRICANE HELENE DONATIONS
Donations collected for victims of Hurricane Helene
EmpowerHER EVENT
The EmpowHER program is an avenue for empowering women around various topics
DONE IN A DAY
Achievements and milestones outside of the League 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 10 11 11 13
The Done In A Day (DIAD) outreach program is the perfect opportunity to give back to the community with an act of service
CHARITY BALL
This year saw a record-breaking number of twelve belle candidates fundraise on the League’s behalf.
DIAPER BANK
The Diaper Bank of North Georgia continues to grow
BATTLE OF THE BRUNCHES
Our newest fundraiser, debuting in June 2025
MEMBERSHIP EVENTS
- Say Aloha to a New League Year
- October General Membership Meeting
MEMBERSHIP EVENTS
- Sip & Shop
MEMBER UPDATES
Message
from the PRESIDENT
Dear Members and Friends of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County,
At May Dinner, I shared my confidence in the League’s bright future as we embarked on a year of exciting change, inspired by the poem “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen Dromgoole. I challenged us all to focus on intentional growth and building bridges for the future. Reflecting on the past six months, I’m thrilled to see how we’ve risen to the challenge with grace and purpose.
We’ve grown in membership, strengthened community engagement, improved communication, and expanded opportunities for our members. Some highlights of the bridges we’ve built together include:
• EmpowHER Net Worth launching our EmpowHER program.
• Collaboration with WomenSource, which grants automatic membership to all Provisional and Active Members.
• Opening the Belle Education Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation, awarding every Belle Candidate a $500 scholarship.
• Adjusting our recruitment timeline to include two Provisional cohorts (Fall and January).
• Crossing the 800K mark in diapers donated through the Diaper Bank of North Georgia.
• Introducing the Build Your Own Experience membership structure, new website, and our Member Essentials portal.
As we look ahead to the second half of our League year, we have more exciting opportunities on the horizon. From our January General Membership meeting with a Nonprofit Roundtable hosted by four lovely Sustainers, to EmpowHER Confidence in Colour, Galentine’s with guest speaker Kay Paschal, Mental Health First Aid training, and more, 2025 is set to cap off what has already been an incredible year!
Macie Lee Reeves - Member Services Chair
Andi Savage - Internal Communications Chair
Dorreka Faulkner - New Member Chair
Kindle Bales, Alli Curry, Olivia Metzdorf - Fundraising Tri-Chairs
Courtney Gillis, Holly MacNellis, Macie Lee Reeves - Battle of the Brunches Tri-Chairs
Annalise Gregory, Devin DiMizio-Marshall - Diaper Bank Co-Chairs
Whitney McDowell-Robinson - Done in a Day Chair
Casey Abernathy - Feeding our Future Chair
Callie Flack -Pool Chair
Shelley Hazard - Director of League Operations
You’ve likely received an email survey from Columns Fundraising about our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback- it’s invaluable in shaping our League’s future.
For nearly 75 years, our commitment to intentionality and excellence has made a lasting impact in the community. As Eleanor Roosevelt, one of Junior League’s earliest members, said, “For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others.”
Thank you for being such a vital part of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County. Serving alongside you has made me a better leader, friend, woman, and volunteer, and I hope you feel the same about your League experience. Together, we’re building bridges for a stronger future.
Yours in service,
Ashley Davis
League members raised $3,151 for this year’s LBDI initiative! Donations went toward the purchase of 1,100 books for Georgia Pre-K Week. This purchase made it possible for EVERY Pre-K student in the Hall County and Gainesville City education system that receives Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) funding and registered for Georgia Pre-K to receive a book from the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County.
Cheers to Consuelo Restaurant for hosting our kickoff party for LBDI on September 16! The restaurant was gracious enough to create a Little Black Dress Margarita and donate 10% of each drink to the League’s fundraiser!
Each year, the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County participates in the Little Black Dress Initiative. This fundraiser, started by the Junior League of London, sheds light on women and children living in poverty. League members wore the same black outfit during the week of September 16th through 20th to illustrate how some individuals must wear the same outfit each day due to a lack of resources. Participants created a fundraising page and encouraged friends, family, and community members to donate to their page.
League members jumped into action to collect donations for victims of Hurricane Helene. Donations poured into the League Lodge, and within a few days these donations were taken to Syfan Logistics for transport to areas impacted. This action is a testament to the dedication of League members and the Gainesville-Hall County community as a whole!
With 48 hours’ notice, we managed to fill three trucks and one car with donations for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. We donated a total of 2,414 diapers and 10,620 wipes.
HURRICANE HELENE DONATIONS
event.
Left to right: Leah Stewart, Ashley Davis, Dani Lee Engelke, Sydney Hedberg, Abigail Loggins, and Bri Terry.
Registrants for EmpowHER Net Worth received a goody bag with items from sponsors and access to treats including a mocktail bar!
A part of the League’s mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through training. The EmpowHER program launched this year to be an avenue for empowering women around various topics. EmpowHER Net Worth was the inaugural event created as a response to the growing need for financial empowerment among women. More women have taken charge of their finances in recent years, but the gap in financial literacy and access to wealth-building resources persists. The EmpowHER Net Worth event aimed to bridge that gap by providing a supportive and inspiring event for women to learn, grow, and network around the topic of personal and business finances, investments, and overall wealth management. Keynote speakers Sydney Hedberg and Dani Lee Engelke
Thank
You!
are both passionate about giving women the confidence to take control of their financial future. President Ashley Davis originally pitched the idea to Sydney of speaking to League membership as a virtual training. Sydney is the author of Fund$ Will Follow, and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to money management. After further discussions, Sydney brought Dani, a financial expert and founder of Money Therapy, into the mix to expand the message to include business finances. They all agreed this needed to be bigger, and it quickly snowballed into a public event, designed to benefit all women in our community. EmpowHER Net Worth had 78 registered attendees, sold out of Sydney’s book stock at the event, and had an incredible evening of networthing and learning!
A BIG thank you to our event sponsors!
• Presenting Sponsor -
• Venue Sponsor - Brenau University
• Silver Sponsors - United Community Bank, Strong Gaddy Lee, and Alexander, Almand & Bangs
• Raffle Sponsors - SkinPharm Alpharetta and Good Chemistry Health & Med Spa
• Our stunning stage set up was provided by House Dressing Interiors
JL members got to work as soon as the new year of the Junior League Gainesville-Hall County started!
Our first Done in a Day (DIAD) community project was completed on September 5, 2024. President Ashley Davis, DIAD Chair Whitney McDowell-Robinson, and Sustainer Director Debbie Davis presented Brenau University’s Student Support Pantry with a $1,000 check to advance their impact with students during Hunger Action Month.
Our Done In A Day (DIAD) outreach program is the perfect opportunity for League members to give back to the community with an act of service. Members volunteer for a four hour shift helping local nonprofits with projects such as volunteering at events, cleaning out old rooms, or decorating for
the holidays. The League has partnered with 10 organizations this year for DIAD. To date, members have completed 4 service projects with 18 total members and approximately 72 total service hours. Our community impact goal is to donate a total of 275 hours for the year.
DIAD projects
completed between September and December Brenau University Student Support Pantry - September 5 Mind to Mind (Community Uplift Foundation) - October 19
Rape Response/Bridging Hope - October 25
Gateway House, Inc. - November 23
Hall is Home for Kids Christmas - December 5
Another DIAD project saw JL members volunteer their time at the Mind to Mind Mentoring sock giveaway.
Keynote speakers Sydney Hedberg and Dani Lee Engelke pose with the 2024-2025 Junior League of GainesvilleHall County Executive Committee following the
It’s the most wonderful night of the year! The 72nd annual Charity Ball was held on December 14 at the Ramsey Conference Center. This year’s event, with the theme “Putting on the Glitz”, saw League and community members dressed to the nine in their glimmering, old Hollywood-themed attire.
This year saw a record-breaking number of twelve Belle Candidates fundraise on the League’s behalf, with the goal of raising the most money and earning the title Belle of the Ball. Mackay Vinton, representing the Gainesville Jaycees, captured the crown. Vinton is the daughter of Sustainer and former Charity Ball CoChair Staci Vinton and former Jaycees President Mack Vinton. She was crowned by the previous Belle of the Ball, Caroline Pope.
In addition to a record number of Belle Candidates, the 72nd annual Charity Ball sold the most tickets of any prior event- 475 tickets sold!
And, as a show of appreciation for each Belle’s
hardwork and a commitment to education, League leadership decided to create a Belle Education Fund.
This fund is housed at the North Georgia Community Foundation and will provide each 2024 Belle a scholarship to the institution of their choice. The goal is for the fund to grow each year to keep providing Belle candidates a scholarship for years to come!
Donations can be made by scanning the QR code.
The ten year goal is to raise $130,000 for this fund to become an endowment.
Belle CANDIDATES
Photo credit: Thea DuBose, Naturally Posh Photography
Sally Davidson Hall County Rotary Club
Katie Griffin Bridging Hope Addie Kemp South Hall Rotary Club
Marina Pate Sisu
Allie Claire Payne Love Your Story
Gracie Ramsey Kiwanis Club of Gainesville
Allee Shoaf NEGA American Heart Association
Makaleigh Stephen Girls Unlimited
Emily Stewart Rotary Club of Gainesville
Mary Eloise Tymchuk WomenSource Mackay Vinton Gainesville Jaycees
Mattie White Family Promise of Hall Cty
The Diaper Bank of North Georgia continues to grow! As one of the League’s most popular initiatives, membership has overseen the packing and distribution this year of more than 175,000 diapers! The Diaper Bank has also accepted a new partner agency, Seed Cooperative Corporation, bringing the total partner agencies up to 10!
Another great accomplishment of the Diaper Bank this year was setting up a diaper changing station at the Mule Camp Festival. This event on the Gainesville Midtown Greenway, hosted by the Gainesville Jaycees, sees thousands of attendees each year. The changing station was the perfect way to introduce community members unfamiliar with the Diaper Bank to its mission and purpose.
Upcoming Diaper Drive Date: March 7- 21
Our newest fundraiser, Battle of the Brunches, will be taking place in summer 2025! Stay tuned through League communication channels for updates and more information.
Membership Events
The Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County may be a service organization dedicated to bettering the community, but that doesn’t mean our members can’t have fun! Membership Director Kristin Varnadore and Member Services Chair Macie Lee Reeves have collaborated to plan some fantastic membership events this year. The next two pages highlight some of our events and off-site General Membership Meetings.
• Family Promise of Hall County
• Goshen Valley Foundation
• Peach State Health Plan
• United Way of Hall County
• The Place at Forsyth
• The Treehouse Inc.
• Hope Not Abandoned
• CASA- Hall County /DawsonCounty
• Gateway Domestic Violence Center
• My Sister’s Place
• Seed Cooperative
Members can scan the QR code to sign up businesses as a Diaper Drive box location.
Our first membership event of the League year was held on August 18th at the League Lodge. It was also open to the public as a way to encourage NEW membership!
MEMBERSHIP KICKOFF EVENT
Our Partner Agencies: “SAY ALOHA TO A NEW LEAGUE YEAR!”
Membership Updates
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Week, League members went off-site for the second GMM of the year to Longstreet Clinic in Gainesville. There they heard from medical professionals on the importance of screening early for breast cancer, and the level of care patients receive at the clinic. A special thank you to Longstreet Clinic staff for making the visit memorable and informative!
One of our members’ favorite events of the League year is our December Sip & Shop! This holiday-themed event takes place during our December GMM and features local vendors displaying their festive goods for purchase. This year, our fantastic Membership Director Kristin Varnadore and Member Services Chair Macie Lee Reeves arranged for a Waffle House truck to cater the event. Yummy!
We are proud to recognize our League members for their achievements and milestones outside of the League. Below you will find some of our members’ personal and professional accomplishments, as well as announcements for weddings and new babies!
PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
• Courtney Parm, Bri Terry, Lauren Hunter and Kaitlyn Vann all starting Leadership Hall
• Sarah Trahan joined the board for Children’s Center for Hope and Healing
• Zack and Abby Loggins opened Big Peach Running Co. in Braselton in September
• Active members Ashley Davis, Abby Loggins, and Kaitlyn Vann, as well as sustainers Ashton Lewis and Angie Kennedy are Founding Members of North Georgia Community Foundation’s The Oak Society. The Oak Society was founded by 25 individuals in Hall County who believed in supporting the community through philanthropy and collaboration. The Oak Society also has general members. The goal is to combine each group member’s individual contributions and make a larger, more meaningful grant that can affect change within our community.
• Dr. Whitney McDowell-Robinson named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders for Atlanta in 2024 by Women We Admire
Brenau University’s Vice President of Student Development & Engagement Whitney McDowell-Robinson, Ph. D., NCC, was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders for Atlanta in 2024 by Women We Admire. “I am honored to be recognized by Women We Admire and to be included among this 2024 class of stellar women,” McDowell-Robinson said. “The leaders highlighted are leaving indelible marks, personally and professionally, while serving as models for others to follow.”
Joanne Carter Bagwell (President, 1976-1977) • Mary Lou Greer Melvin (President, 1979-1980)
If you know of a Sustainer who has recently passed, please fill out this form to notify our Leadership Team.
SIP & SHOP
RECENT PASSINGS
Jacee Heckadon married Jared Schmidt on October 12, 2024
Ted “Teddy” Christopher Trotter (Parents Bryce and Emma Trotter, born June 14, 2024)
Rabun Vinita Williams (Parents Taylor and Lauren Williams, born August 4, 2024)
Lauren Hunter engaged to Sam West on floor of Georgia House chamber and featured in Atlanta JournalConstitution, August 31, 2024
Pallie Frances Shank (Parents Michael and Darby Shank, born June 20, 2024)
Ruthann Savage (Parents Ryan and Andi Savage, born July 19, 2024)
Alicia Manley is expecting baby girl in May 2025 with husband Ethan
Isla Ann Gillis (Parents Huston and Courtney Gillis, born August 5, 2024)
Grady Stewart (Parents Drew and Leah Stewart, born August 13, 2024)
Elizabeth Mae Lyle (Parents Jeff and Sara Lyle, born December 5, 2024)
