Thank you everyone for making the 2024 Holiday Shoppes fundraising event a success. We could not have done it without our members!
Number of Merchants: 105
Booth Sales: ~$59,000
Member Spotlight: Swathi Utukuri
2/22:
3/11:
4/12:
4/20-4/26:
Foot Traffic: 3,200 (on par with previous post-Covid years)
Tickets Sold: 3,300 (little under last year)
Ticket Sales: $32,400
Raffle: $3,064
Socks/Postcards: $1,250
$1k for Parade of Homes, $236 Harvey Garden, $56 Tully’s
We piloted a VIP Night on Friday, the first day of the fundraiser Guests were able to purchase tickets which included food from Coppertop and two drink tickets. Participants had time with Helping Hounds dogs and time to shop our vendors. It was a big success and we ended up selling out all VIP tickets!
This year for advertising we put up yard signs and posted flyers in addition to traditional efforts. We are excited to announce that we have one sponsor and 23 merchants signed up for 2025!
As our biggest fundraiser for our Junior League of Syracuse, the Holiday Shoppes continue to help us fund great work and service throughout our community
Nikki Davis Holiday Shoppes Co-Chair
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Brittany Moen graciously takes over as VP of Membership and has been doing a great job!
Vote has passed to increase the annual dues for Active and Sustaining members
Discussed when and where we want to have the 2025 Holiday Shoppes
Discussed the need to have a financial assessment of the annual costs of the league
Switching over to Member Essentials at some point this league year
Create a bigger event for STEM/STEAM event, will be our 10th year holding this event
PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
As we begin a new year, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your incredible support of the Junior League of Syracuse, especially during our largest fundraiser, Holiday Shoppes. Your generosity and dedication made this event a success, enabling us to continue our mission of improving our community.
This fall and early winter, the League has been busy giving back in meaningful ways. Our Sustainers gathered for their annual pie baking tradition while also collecting diapers for families in need. Our Active members contributed peanut butter and jelly for local schools and baked cookies for the Rescue Mission, ensuring comfort and nourishment for those we serve. Together, we also enjoyed special moments of fellowship, from our cookie swap to the gingerbread house-making relay. And of course, we blended fun and fundraising with our events at Harvey's Garden, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the League.
As we step into 2025, I want to express what an honor it has been to serve as your president. This role has brought immense joy, and I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition as I prepare to welcome the next group of leaders who will continue to carry our mission forward in 2025-2026.
I encourage each of you to reflect on how you might grow within the League in the coming year. Reach out to your Nominating Advisor to explore opportunities, whether through leadership roles or by taking on new challenges Together, we can make 2025 another remarkable year for the Junior League of Syracuse
Thank you for all that you do to support our League and our community.
With gratitude,
Victoria Wejko President, Junior League of Syracuse
NOMINATING: WHO ARE WE? WHAT DO WE DO?
The nominating committee is currently made up of one nominating director who sits on the JLS board and three nominating advisors. All positions are selected by the nominating committee and each member serves a two year roll. The size of the league dictates how many advisors we have at a time. It is our job to fill league positions (slate), manage league conflicts, and advise league members. For the 2025-2026 league year we are looking for a new nominating director and one nominating advisor
Nominating Advisor - There are no JLS requirements to be a nominating advisor besides being a member in good standing. However we do look for someone with good interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, and someone who is dependable. Being an advisor requires great people skills. Our members come to us with league issues and sometimes personal issues as well
Nominating Director - This member must have served as a nominating advisor at one point during their time in the JLS and needs to meet the requirements of a nominating advisor. They sit on the board, however they are considered a non-voting member of the board. The director needs to be neutral with board level decisions and give input that would benefit the league as a whole.
Jen Baker - Nominating Advisor, 2023-2025. Joined the JLS in the Spring of 2019. Served on Fund Development as my first committee, then became chair the next year, followed by 2 years as Fund Development VP. I also served as Chair for Centennial Celebration for several years due to COVID
I work full time as a school counselor for grades 9-12 at Marcellus High School and serve as Communications Chair for the Syracuse Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. I am a Syracuse fan by marriage only and fiercely loyal to Penn State, where I obtained my B S. in Psych in 2009 and Masters in Education in Counselor Education in 2011. I live in Baldwinsville with my significant other, Matt, and 2.5 year old, Ezra, but am originally from central PA. My favorite part about being on Nominating is trying to get to know the members a little more personally I also enjoy answering questions as they come up My biggest struggle as a nominating advisor is during slating and making difficult decisions. I know when I applied for leadership, I was nervous so my most hated moments are making calls that aren’t the happiest during that time.
Emily Holdorf - Nominating Advisor, 2024-2026.
Tana Heer - Nominating Advisor, 2024-2026.
I joined the Junior League of Washington D.C. in 2015. I grew up in CNY and after moving back to Baldwinsville, I transferred to the JLS in the Summer of 2021 and joined the new member committee. I then became the recruitment chair the following year and then served as Communications VP.
Serving as a nominating advisor has been my favorite role so far! I feel it allows me to combine my love for the league and all its various committee work with my professional skills I work full time in HR. I hold a master’s degree in human resources from Georgetown University and a BS in business administration from SUNY Buffalo. At work, I spend a lot of time coaching employees and managers. It’s almost every day that employees come to me with concerns, conflict or issues that they need to discuss Sometimes they are just looking to vent and I can be a listening ear, but other times they need help putting together actionable steps. Being a nominating advisor is similar! We have so much to balance in JLS - the fine balance of people doing the work for the organization, while balancing member engagement and operating restrictions I also have three young boys (Hamilton, Theodore and Lexington) who keep me very busy!
I originally joined and completed my provisional year with the Junior League of Charlotte in 2018 and then transferred to the JLS in the Fall of 2019 I grew up near Cooperstown and when returning to the CNY area after several years of living in other states, I knew I wanted to continue my membership in the League and meet people with a similar interest in giving back to the local community.
Since being part of the JLS, I have been on the Membership Education & Engagement committee, as well as the Communications committee While on Communications, I served as the Marketing Chair from 2021-2023 where my primary role was managing our social media presence. I work full time for the International Fresh Produce Association managing consumer-facing nutrition education initiatives. I hold a M.S. in Human Nutrition from the University of Alabama, a B S in Dietetics from SUNY Oneonta, and am also credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist I recently bought a house in Lansing with my significant other, Bradley. As a Nominating Advisor, I enjoy getting to know members on a more personal basis, serving as a listening ear and helping ensure the League runs smoothly.
Julia Kane - Nominating Director, 2023-2025. I joined the JLS in the Fall of 2018. I then served on New Member Recruitment as my first committee. Shortly after I became the Vice President of Membership and served on the board for 2 years When I finished my VP term I became a nominating advisor, and then the nominating director! I work full time at SUNY Upstate as an audiologist and I am an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. My husband, Austin and I are avid ‘cuse fans, as we are both alumni I loved serving as a nominating advisor as I felt I really got to connect with members. Serving as the nominating director really helps you understand how the league works and how to make difficult decisions.
SUSTAINER NEWS
In the Fall, Sustainers met, played golf at the Cavalry Club and had dinner, collected over 3,300 diapers for the CNY Diaper Bank, worked at the Holiday Shoppes, donated socks to Vera House at a Fall R and R, and made over 60 apple pies for the Samaritan Center. Many thanks to Anne Miller, Judy Winslow, Maureen Wopperer, Joan Ferrara, Maudie Ritchie, Sue Lowitz, Karen Sparkers, Peggy Fabic, Jean Soper, Kitty Bersani, Cheryl Ward, Evonne Pacini, Sheila Corbishley, Jenny Jackson and Betsy McLane for organizing various events. Many thanks to the 30 Sustainers who worked at the Holiday Shoppes and all those who helped make pies
Some of the activities for the next six months include continuing to assist the CNY Diaper Bank with Actives on 2/8/25 and 2/22/25, by helping count, sort, and repackage diapers to get them ready for families that need them most in the city of Syracuse and surrounding areas. We will have more R and R’s and a Spring cocktail party. Start thinking about the Mary Harriman award and the Sustainer of the Year award. Stay tuned for more events as they develop
Barb and Jenny Sustainer Co-Chairs
SUSTAINER PIE MAKING
Thank you to all who joined us for the Apple Pie Making service project on December 7, 2024 at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center Twenty-five volunteers generously gave of their time. Your hard work resulted in sixty pies and several containers of seasoned apple mixtures for the Samaritan Center. Special thanks to Rev. Severine Yagaza for letting us use the Parish Center and to Addie Silvia who provided festive refreshments which were enjoyed by all!
My personal thanks to the following volunteers who made my planning job easy:
Shopping assistance:
Anne Miller
Barb Stratton
Peggy Fabic
Marion Fish
Joan Ferrara
Set-up:
Barb Benedict
Katie Corbishley
Bernie Corbishley
Delivery of pies:
Martha Tooley
Bernie Corbishley
Katie Corbishley
With appreciation, Sheila Corbishley
JLS Sustainer
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
We’re thrilled to celebrate and welcome 25 new members who have joined our chapter over the past two years.
Upcoming New Member Orientation Event
• Thursday, May 8, 2025: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Know Someone Interested in Joining the League?
Help us grow by encouraging others to get involved. Here’s how:
1. Register Them: Sign them up as a non-member to attend JLS events you’re attending.
2 Contact Us: Have them email membership@jlsyracuse org for more information
3 Support Them: Offer to attend or register them for an upcoming new member orientation.
New Member Recruitment Goals for 2024-2025
Our goals for the upcoming year include:
• Planning Recruitment Campaigns: Spreading the word and attracting prospective members.
• Leading Orientation & Training: Organizing informative sessions to onboard new members
• Providing Support: Offering guidance and assistance to potential members
• Educating New Members: Empowering them with the knowledge and skills to succeed.
Let’s work together to continue building a strong, vibrant, & growing future for the Junior League of Syracuse. For questions or assistance, reach out to membership@jlsyracuse.org.
Warm regards,
The Junior League of Syracuse Membership Committee
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Molly Schultz
Courtney Steininger
Keela Wolff
Molly Schultz was born and raised in Rochester, NY and has lived all over New York State since graduating from SUNY Brockport with a degree in Environmental Science and Biology. Molly currently works for the Research Foundation at SUNY ESF in the Environmental Engineering department on projects that focus around water science and technology development Prior to relocating to the Syracuse area, Molly worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension, specializing in urban horticulture projects, community outreach and transitioning at-risk young adults into green industry jobs. Molly is proud to have also worked as a public servant for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in divisions that specialized in epidemiology and habitat restoration.
Outside of work, Molly enjoys cooking, reading, playing music, dance and outdoor recreation such as gardening, paddle boarding, camping, skiing, snowboarding, and cycling. Molly looks forward to meeting women with similar values through the Junior League of Syracuse.
Rev. Courtney Steininger is the pastor of Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church in DeWitt. Originally from Darnestown, Maryland in Montgomery County, just outside Washington, D.C., Courtney completed a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, with minors in Religious Studies and Technology Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland. Courtney then received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2021. Courtney also served as a Director of Christian Education at churches in Connecticut and New York during the pandemic before she was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament at Bedford Presbyterian Church (BPC) in July 2023. She is thrilled to now be pastoring her own church here in the Syracuse area! Courtney and her husband, Jon, are newlyweds who were married this past February. They enjoy spending time outside with their dog, Charlie, and curled up on the couch with their cat, Cheezit Courtney's other hobbies include reading and volunteering in her community.
An alumna of Grambling State University, Keela Wolff said she proudly channelled her Tiger spirit into everything she did By day, Keela thrives in the mortgage industry, helping individuals and families achieve their dreams of homeownership. Beyond that, she is a “doting” dog mom to two little sweet girls who bring endless joy to her life and a loving wife to a “truly wonderful man”. Keela believes entrepreneurship runs through her veins and is always on the lookout for fresh opportunities to create new streams of income. Her ultimate dream? To turn her passion for crafting into a full-time profession, where creativity and business can intertwine seamlessly. Keela said she brings energy, curiosity, and dedication to every aspect of her life and is thrilled to be part of the Junior League, contributing to meaningful initiatives alongside inspiring women.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SWATHI UTUKURI
The Junior League of Syracuse (JLS) is proud to spotlight one of our newest members, Swathi Utukuri, whose passion for sustainability, social equity, and community building makes her a vital addition to our League Swathi’s professional journey is as inspiring as her advocacy work. As a systems engineer in the medical device industry, she develops next-generation technologies that save and sustain lives. Her role requires transforming complex needs into tangible solutions, a skill she also brings to her community endeavors. Growing up in a conservative household instilled in her the importance of advocating for meaningful change
When Swathi learned about the Junior League of Syracuse from a colleague, she was drawn to its mission of fostering leadership and community development. Joining the Fund Development Committee was a natural fit for her, aligning with her belief in sustainable impact by mobilizing resources effectively to support transformational projects.
Swathi’s advocacy extends beyond JLS Recently, she was named 2nd runner-up in the Mrs Universe USA pageant a testament to her perseverance and ability to amplify important causes “The pageant was a transformative journey,” she shares “It affirmed my belief in the power of authenticity and purpose ” Her achievement brings recognition to upstate New York and underscores the strength and diversity of her community
Passionate about sustainability, mental health awareness, and social equity, Swathi envisions a future where small actions create ripples of change Through JLS and her pageant platform, she aims to host workshops on eco-conscious living, promote cultural preservation through creative reuse projects, and advocate for inclusivity. Her vision includes mentorship programs for women leaders, early education initiatives for children, and campaigns highlighting critical issues like gender equity and environmental sustainability.
Balancing a demanding career, social advocacy, and personal achievements isn’t easy, but Swathi attributes her success to intentionality, support systems, and self-care. “The Junior League has shown me that we don’t have to do it all alone,” she reflects. Inspired by her mother and the trailblazing women in leadership who’ve broken barriers, Swathi believes in the power of collaboration and mutual support to drive impactful change. For Swathi, gratitude and community support are central to her journey. “Every achievement has been a collective effort,” she says. “Collaboration is at the heart of impactful change.”
Her mission is clear: to inspire others to live with purpose, compassion, and a commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable world The Junior League of Syracuse is thrilled to have Swathi as part of our community Together, we look forward to supporting her initiatives and witnessing the lasting impact she will undoubtedly make
COMMUNITY: PEACE SHOPPING DAYS
We were able to participate in the Peace Inc. Give Holiday Program again this year. We want to thank everyone who participated in the shopping days as well as all our members' hard work with our various fundraising events. Without your generosity with your time, we would not be able to support these events. Thanks for helping to brighten the holidays for local families in need!
