In League, 2021-2022 Annual Report

In League

A PUBLICATION OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LUBBOCK, INC. | 2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT

GERMANIA...

The insuranceTexans trust.

www.jbmanninsurance.com Office: 806-794-3008 • Fax: 806-794-4424 3317 81st Street • Lubbock, Texas 79423

AUTOMOBILE • LIFE • UMBRELLA • PERSONAL LIABILITY• PROPERTY

2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Leslie Collins President Jessie Cayton President-Elect Lauren Maclaskey Community Impact Vice President Traci Siebenlist Finance Vice President Julie Wilson Fund Development Vice President Marlise Boyles Membership Development Vice President Kathy Oaks Bylaws Deborah Finlayson Sustaining Advisor

Table of Contents

BOARD OF DIRECTORS – ELECT

4

Letter from the President

Carolyn Wilkerson Finance Vice President-Elect Amanda Owens Fund Development Vice President-Elect Kristin Boles Membership Development Vice President-Elect

6

Letter from the Sustaining Advisor

7

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

8

2021-2022 Provisionals

COMMITTEE CHAIRS Allison Matherly Advisory Planning Kathy Wells Arrangements Jessica Tullar-Caroom Community Focus Area Katherine Byrne Diversity & Inclusion Katie Randolph Food2Kids Nedra Hotchkins Fundraising & Donations Lindsay Rushing Holiday Happening Marissa-Anne Melakian Kids in the Kitchen Lindsey Diaz Member At Large – Community Magan Brown Member At Large – Finance Mackenzie Payton Member At Large – Fund Development Tabitha Coffman Member At Large – Operations Libby Spradlin Membership Enrichment Latisha Tomlinson Nominating TJ Evans Provisional Membership Development Courtney Turner Publicity Virginia Simpson Research & Development Laura Beth Fossett SPARK Carleigh Smith Sustainer/Transfer Relations Christi Felton Touch-a-Truck

11 Member Transfers-In 12 Volunteer Shifts 14 Community Assistance Grants 14 Volunteer Service Award Scholarship

ASSISTANT CHAIRS Robin Richardson Sabine Jacobson Emily Guy Briana Vela Krista Jones

Arrangements Assistant Community Focus Area Assistant Fundraising & Donations Assistant Holiday Happening Assistant Touch-a-Truck Assistant

SUSTAINING ADVISORS Stacy Caliva Advisory Planning Libby White Arrangements Chelsea Anders Bylaws Amy Zientek Community Focus Area Mary Moore Community Impact Council Deborah Finlayson Board of Directors Dr. Kathy Rollo Board of Directors-Elect Amber Miller Finance Council Tamara Mancini Food2Kids Sharon Bass Fund Development Council Kathleen Burrell Fund Development Council Cray Pickering Fundraising & Donations Shelly Bratcher Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Margaret Randle Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Gayle Bailey Morris Holiday Happening Dana Gustafson Holiday Happening Andrea Watson Holiday Happening Jennifer Simek Kids in the Kitchen Celeste Thompson Membership Development Council Sunshine Stanek Membership Enrichment Gayle Bailey Morris Nominating Zoe Metcalf Operations/Administrative Council Andrea Watson PMDC Beth Bridges Publicity Shannon Miller Research & Development Jennifer Irlbeck SPARK Cathy Porter Sustainer/Transfer Relations Stephanie Fox Touch-a-Truck

2021-2022 COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL Sharon Bass Glen Cochran Adrienne Cozart Dina Jeffries Jana Johnston Bryan Limmer Bonnie Mather Karin McCay Emily Merrill Carla Olson Mayor Dan Pope John Shanklin Nancy Sharp Phyllis Underwood Laura Vinson

Volunteer Center of Lubbock Lubbock Area United Way UMC Health Systems South Plains Food Bank Lubbock Economic Development Alliance Happy State Bank Junior League of Lubbock Sustaining Member KCBD NewsChannel 11 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center The Parenting Cottage City of Lubbock McCleskey, Harriger, Brazill & Graf United Supermarkets Lubbock Independent School District Prosperity Bank

15 Focus Area 16 Holiday Happening 20 Touch-a-Truck 22 South Plains Food2Kids 23 SPARK 24 Kids in the Kitchen 26 JLL Strategic Goals 27 New Sustaining Members 28 Incoming Leadership 29 Junior League of Lubbock Foundation

The Junior League of Lubbock, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. ©2022 Junior League of Lubbock Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without written permission by JLL.

4205 84th St., Lubbock, TX 79423 P: 806.794.8874 | F: 806.794.8893 info@jllubbock.com | jllubbock.com

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

3

Letter from the President

By Leslie Collins

What a year! When I look back at the last twelve months, I am filled with pride for the work we have accomplished and gratitude for the team of women who came together to inspire and empower positive change in our community. After a year of challenging uncertainty, we entered this year with an inspired enthusiasm around our mission of community impact.

The Junior League of Lubbock is an organization of nearly 600 Provisional, Active, and Sustaining Members—driven, passionate, and philanthropic women whose differences are assets to the common goals and values of our organization. We are fueled by a mission that has defined our path for almost 88 years.

The historical legacy of the Junior League of Lubbock is a powerful one, and the work done this year contributes greatly to that history of service. Some highlights of the 2021-2022 League year include:

4

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

• Strategic Planning. We implemented a new strategic plan and changed our practice of goal setting and planning at the committee level. We finetuned organizational processes to create more effective practices centered around institutional goals. It reminded us that no matter the task, we are all working toward a common mission.

• Fund-Development. We had a record-breaking year with both our Holiday Happening and Touch-a-Truck fundraisers, earning over $410,000.00.

We also introduced our first annual Women’s Empowerment Luncheon, benefiting the Junior League of Lubbock Foundation with hopes to establish a new tradition for an opportunity to empower Lubbock women.

• Membership Development. With a specific focus on member engagement, we were able to increase our efforts of becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization. We offered personal and professional development opportunities to our members, enhancing their leadership skills both inside and outside of the organization. These women are change-makers and are an invaluable force for good in our community.

• Community Impact. Funding over $20,000.00 in Community Assistance Grants and a scholarship to a high school senior, we continue to assist in the service efforts of others doing amazing work in our community. We also had a record-breaking year in the number and variety of volunteer hours our members contributed to outside organizations who needed some extra helping hands. Our signature projects, South Plains Food2Kids, Kids in the Kitchen, and SPARK each celebrated milestones of service to their respective recipients.

jllubbock.com

We are also looking forward to the future of the Junior League of Lubbock as we enter into a new focus area of Elder Care after a year of evaluating the needs of the Lubbock community and identifying areas to which the League’s volunteer and financial resources can make a difference. The process for selecting this focus area for the League’s work involved research into several topic areas to learn what current gaps existed, and to understand what expertise and resources the League could bring to that area. By adopting Elder Care as our focus area, our goal is to enhance the quality of life for Lubbock senior citizens through respite care, health services, and the improvement of basic day to day living conditions. I look forward to future community partnerships to serve this deserving community most effectively.

Authenticity and service to others are values I try to bring into every aspect of my life. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that those values are deeply rooted into this organization as well. There is so much the Junior League of Lubbock has given to me, and I am deeply honored to have served as its President. Thank you for allowing me the incredible opportunity to be a part of this team and to lead the work of creating meaningful impact in our community.

Through our strategic vision and actions, we can be sure that the League will continue to lead our community to excellence. As you read the following report, I hope you will share my pride because success is not achieved in isolation. Each Junior League of Lubbock member and community partner has a role to play in our ongoing story. I am immensely proud of our accomplish-

ments and the contributions we have made to our community and look forward to the League’s bright future.

To the women of the Junior League of Lubbock: I will continue to be your biggest supporter and am always cheering you on! Thank you for your friendship.

With gratitude,

Leslie Collins President, 2021-2022 Junior League of Lubbock

2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2021-2022 LEADERSHIP TEAM AT JULY PLANNING RETREAT (TOP) LESLIE COLLINS AND JESSIE CAYTON WITH PAST PRESIDENTS SUNSHINE STANEK, BETH BRIDGES, AND KATHY ROLLO AT MARCH GENERAL MEETING (BOTTOM) J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

5

Letter from the Sustaining Advisor

By Deborah Finlayson

“Five Hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes— How do you measure a year?”

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I told Leslie, our 2021-2022 President, that I would be honored to serve as her Sustaining Advisor. At that time, I had just started a new job at High Point Village and was the Chapter Advisor for Delta Gamma. I have two rules: one, don’t commit unless you are ready to make the sacrifice; and two, don’t do anything unless you can do it well. I had

a lot on my plate, but I did not hesitate a minute to say yes. Well…maybe a minute.

What an amazing five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes this last year was!! Every moment I have spent participating with the Junior League has always been rewarding and fulfilling. This year, I had the privilege of meeting many new amazing women

and reacquainted myself with several others. It has been such an adventure to see how the Junior League of Lubbock has grown since my time as President—the great strides made through triumphant failure and success. It has also been a great privilege to see those processes, once used by the “old” guard still going strong.

Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.”

—Sandra Day O’Connor First woman Supreme Court Justice and Junior League of Phoenix, Arizona volunteer

BOARD MEMBERS WITH DEBORAH FINLAYSON AT SPRING DINNER 6

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

jllubbock.com

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Journey

By Katherine Byrne

“A journey is called that because you cannot know what you will discover on the journey, what you will do, what you will find, nor what you find will do to you.” — James Baldwin Mary Harriman, the founder of The Junior League, strongly believed that we all bear the responsibility to learn about the world and people around us so that we can be more effective in our desire to improve it. It is that strongly held belief that has led not only the Junior League of Lubbock, but also the Association of Junior Leagues International to start on a diversity, equity, and inclusion journey. We call it a journey and not a destination, as there is no end point or box we are trying to check off. Instead, it is a journey of discovery and improvement opportunities that will allow us to better understand, connect, and welcome those around us while also ensuring our League is a true representation of the communities we serve. We know that there can and will be both milestones, detours, and even reroutes along the way, and we will embrace all of those because they are what will make our journey beautiful and impactful.

During our first year of having a DEI committee, the committee focused on developing the framework that would guide future committees. This included the development of a strategic plan as well as reviewing internal policies and bylaws from a DEI lens and making suggested changes as needed.

As our DEI journey continued into the 2021-2022 League year, the focus of the committee shifted to providing awareness and educational opportuni-

ties to members. In June, the committee celebrated Pride Month and shared the history behind the celebration. Did you know Pride is celebrated to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for LGBTQ+ Americans? In September, Anestacia Adame-Barnard highlighted National Hispanic Heritage Month by providing the history behind the month as well as personal stories at our General Meeting. Bobby Monk provided disability awareness education to our members in November. This tied in perfectly with the start of Holiday Happening as it allowed our membership to be more aware and accommodating during the event and in general when we are volunteering in the community.

In February, we celebrated Black History Month with a guest panel featuring Margaret Randle, Nedra Hotchkins, and Amanda Cutts who spoke on their experiences Panhellinic Sororities, also known as the “Divine Nine.” Each of these sororities were created with the common mission to educate and uplift their communities. In honor of Women’s History Month, the League was able to enjoy a guest panel featuring Junior League of Lubbock Past Presidents Sunshine Stanek, Beth Bridges, and Kathy Rollo. They spoke of their experience as women leaders in their careers and within the League. We also celebrated Women’s History Month with fun color “herstory” sheets that

featured prominent female leaders from history. In addition, a crayon donation was made to the East Lubbock Art House which was started by Danielle Demetria East to bring the arts to East Lubbock. In April, we heard from Tim Siegle who spoke on traumatic brain injuries and what Team Luke – Hope for Minds is doing to assist children who have suffered these from these injuries. In addition, we also recognized and learned more about Autism as part of Autism Awareness month that takes place every April.

In addition, to providing education and awareness opportunities this year, our committee also had the chance to make improvements to volunteer shifts by adding additional questions that covered activities to be performed and accessibility of site. These new additions will allow our members to better decide if the shift is a fit for them. The DEI committee is also excited to execute the first demographic survey of our provisional membership. The survey was created last year as part of AJLI’s “Every Member Counts” initiative.

While we might only be in the second year of our journey, we know this journey will be impactful for not only our League, but also the communities we serve, as well. We look forward to seeing where the journey takes the future DEI committees.

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

7

2021-2022

Provisionals

By TJ Evans

As we wrap up another League year, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the 2022 Junior League of Lubbock Provisional Class. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead these women through their first year in the League. I am incredibly excited to see the amazing things this group of women will accomplish during their tenure as Junior League of Lubbock members. As I have gotten to know each of them, I have seen drive, compassion, determination, and a strong desire to make our community better.

Each of these women brings a unique set of skills and passions that will serve the Junior League of Lubbock so well.

When tasked with developing a curriculum to guide the Provisional Class through the year, the PMDC committee focused on two primary goals: one, to build relationships; and two, to educate and provide a strong Junior League of Lubbock foundation. There are a multitude of ways to invest and serve in our community, so it was especially important to highlight how the Junior

8

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

League of Lubbock stands out amongst the rest. Our Provisional Members were able to get firsthand experience with our Signature Projects and Fundraisers by volunteering with South Plains Food2Kids, Touch-a-Truck, SPARK, and Holiday Happening. They represented the Junior League of Lubbock by assisting our community partners at volunteer shifts and attended both General and Provisional Meetings. As they volunteered and attended these events, they were able to develop relationships with members of our community and with fellow Provisional and Active Members. The PMDC committee’s second goal focused solely on preparing our newest members for a long successful Junior League career. Each Provisional Meeting focused on specific Junior League topics that would educate and prepare our members for their first active year. It was especially important to the PMDC committee that each member felt prepared to tackle their placement preference form in January.

Special attention was placed on educat-

ing them about the various ways we can serve in the League. We truly wanted to help each new member find a placement they were excited about and a place they felt they could make the biggest impact. Throughout the year, each Provisional attended one committee meeting of their choice to get a small taste of what serving on a committee would be like. As Active and Sustaining Members all know, there is so much to learn in the League. The provisional year is just a small glimpse into the journey ahead. With each year and each placement comes new opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and make a difference in our community. Our job this year was to help lay the foundation for those years to come, and with the help of my amazing PMDC committee, I truly believe we accomplished both of our goals. As these new members embark on the rest of their Junior League adventure, I hope they always remember our motto: “May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make.”

jllubbock.com

2021-2022

Provisionals

AVERY AGNEW

JENNIFER AHMED

KALLIE BARLEY

SANDY CRUZ (MONTES)

MYRANDA AYCOCK

TIFFANY BROWN

CRYSTAL CUMBERLAND

CYNTHIA BARAIBAR

HAYLEY BUTLER

SHANNON DUNLAP

VANESSA GOMEZ

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

9

2021-2022

Provisionals

BRENNA GREEN

TRINITY “STORM” HUCKABEE

LAURA HAYES

ALEX NIX (KING)

WHITNEY SILVERTHORN

BARBARA HENSON

TINA PATRICK

AUBREY STUTLER

SESNA RIVERA

JAMIE WINEGEART WARD

Not pictured, but certainly very important: LAUREN ALLEN, MANDI DEVER (JORDAN), KRIS DUYCK, JESSICA MEASON, KASEY MURPHY (BURNES), MELISSA PALACIOS, LEXI SOLIS, AND KIANNE SUNDRE 10

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

jllubbock.com

Member Transfers-In

VICTORIA BLACKWOOD

LINDSAY GILLIAM

REBECCA CORD

HILLARY GRIFFITH

MELISSA LEWIS

ALICE SALZWEDEL

VALERIE FLOURNOY

JENNA HALL

BONNIE HILL

COURTNEY TURNER

Not pictured, but certainly very important: JORDAN LEWIS J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

11

Volunteer Shifts

By Jessica Tullar-Caroom

This year, the Community Focus Area Committee created opportunities for members of the Junior League of Lubbock to volunteer within the community. Shifts were added to the schedule for places like Meals on Wheels and Buddy Holly Hall that provided opportunities to engage with the public. Many members agree that it has been wonderful to get to actually see the people you’re helping!

Community volunteer shifts are yet another opportunity that the League

has to put some people power behind the grants that we provide. Adult Protective Services has received multiple community grants from the League over the past several years, but this year the Community Focus Area did a canned food drive for them over the Christmas holiday. Similarly, Lubbock Impact and Meals on Wheels have also received financial support from the League in the past year, but this year we were able to provide more than 100 shifts across both of those organizations.

Boys and Girls Club: Kohls Back to School Shopping Buckner International Buddy Holly Hall Caleb’s Closet Family Hope Center Habitat for Humanity with these separate entities:

12

Overall, the Community Focus Area Committee provided more volunteer opportunities to members than ever before. Adding new organizations throughout the year, League members had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of organizations doing great work in our community. League members contributed over 350 hours to these organizations and learned so much along the way!

Lubbock Arts Festival Literacy Lubbock Meals on Wheels One Voice Home: Art of Freedom Ronald McDonald House Salvation Army Angel Tree South Plains Fair

Habitat for Humanity Restore Habitat for Humanity Build Challenge

South Plains Food Bank Farm

High Point Village

with these events:

United Way

The Inside Out Foundation

United Way Gala United Way 75th Anniversary

Lubbock Impact

YWCA -Wine Women and Shoes

Lubbock Mayor’s Marathon

5-5-5 Move Over and Slow Down

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

jllubbock.com

Organizations and events that the Junior League of Lubbock had the pleasure of partnering with this year:

Lubbock Area United Way

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

13

Community Assistance Grants Community Assistance Grants are the one way that the Junior League of Lubbock helps to support our local community. These grants are awarded to local nonprofits each spring and fall, with both seasons’ grants totaling $10,000 each. Below are the recipients of our Community Assistance Grants for the 2021-2022 League year.

Fall 2021:

Spring 2022:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lubbock, $1,200

Buckner Children and Family Services, $1,000

Family Guidance and Outreach Center of Lubbock, $2,385

Catholic Charities – Diocese of Lubbock, $1,000

Children’s Advocacy Center of the South Plains, $1,825

Community Health Center of Lubbock, $1,400

CASA of the South Plains, $640

Lubbock Rape Crisis Center dba Voice of Hope, $1,500

Early Learning Centers of Lubbock, $640

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest, $1,800

High Point Village, $3,297

Lubbock Meals on Wheels, $3,300

Volunteer Service Award Scholarship VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT, AREYAH FITCH, WITH PRESIDENT LESLIE COLLINS AT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LUBBOCK SPRING CELEBRATION 14

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

Each year, the Junior League of Lubbock awards a scholarship to a young woman who is either a high school senior, has obtained a GED within the current League year, or is attending a transitional school who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to voluntarism. JLL

celebrates Areyah Fitch, the recipient of our 2021-2022 Volunteer Service Award Scholarship of $2,500. Areyah is a 2022 graduate of Monterey High School, and will be heading to Houston Baptist University in the fall, where she will be majoring in Biblical Studies.

jllubbock.com

Focus Area

By Ginny Simpson

2018-2019, The Junior League of Lubbock started looking for a new focus area, as is our practice to do every five years. In 2020, areas in which the League could contribute to the Lubbock community was narrowed down to three potential areas of focus: community health, art education, and elder care.

Educational videos were sent out explaining each project area, home meetings were organized for discussion, and a membership vote was scheduled. In the fall of 2020, League members voted and chose ‘elder care’ as our next focus area. Members felt this was a population in the Lubbock and surrounding communities where a need was clear and was a place where the League’s strengths and resources could be beneficial.

Over the past two years, the Research & Development (R&D) Committees have worked tirelessly to come up with a specific project to serve this population, asking the questions: What does this population look like? Where do they live? What do they need? How do we reach them? What are the biggest obstacles/challenges to serving

them? Entering the 2021-2022 League year, the R&D Committee felt pressure to develop a project to replace our Food2Kids signature project that is being transitioned out of League operation. However, after some reflection and conversations with the Board, Sustainers, and community members, we realized that Food2Kids is a special project to the League that took over a decade to grow into what we know it to be today.

With support and encouragement from the Board of Directors, the pressure to develop a project equitable in size and caliber of Food2Kids before it had even begun, was eliminated. We were then able to see that that sometimes reinventing the wheel isn’t the right path— so many community organizations were already serving this population. We did not want to replicate or duplicate services of organizations doing great work for the community.

With the help of Sustainers, we were reminded of how our League developed focus areas in the past, and came up with the idea of partnerships with local organizations.

Our goal in serving this popula-

tion is to partner with agencies in our community that already have boots on the ground. We recognize that for some agencies, the needs are large and money and time can be lacking. The Junior League of Lubbock has funding to contribute and the volunteers ready and willing to step up. By adopting this strategy within the elder care focus area, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for Lubbock senior citizens through respite care, health services, and the improvement of basic day to day living conditions. With project partnerships, agencies can grow while continuing to service, and the Junior League of Lubbock can fulfill our focus area’s mission statement as well as the mission of the League.

The 2021-2022 R&D committee committed hours of research, personally inviting over 40 agencies to apply to be a project partner. We are now accepting applications, and our hope is that agencies will sit down with their teams and brainstorm new and exciting projects in which the Junior League of Lubbock can be a valuable partner!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio, www.pexels.com

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

15

Holiday Happening: A Holly Jolly Holiday

By Briana Vela

November 17-21, 2021 marked the comeback of the Junior League of Lubbock’s Holiday Happening following a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For nine months, a committee of 33 ladies planned tirelessly and worked countless hours to create a memorable five days for attendees of the 41st annual event.

The 2021 Holiday Happening committee was led by Chair Lindsay Rushing and Assistant Chair Briana Vela. The Holly Jolly Holiday committee created a traditional holiday atmosphere filled with Christmas trees, nutcrackers, ornaments, lights, sparkles, Santa’s workshop, and even snow! This fundraiser serves as the longest-running fundraiser for the JLL and one of the biggest holiday shopping markets in Texas. Since 1979, the JLL has raised close to $8 million benefiting the League’s signature projects—currently South Plains Food2Kids, Kids in the Kitchen and SPARK­—and contributing to community assistance grants, scholarships, and other community initiatives.

In addition to the traditional special events such as Sneak Peek, Ladies’ Day, and Breakfast with Santa, this year’s Holiday Happening featured another memorable Friday Night Out with local influencer Magen Reaves discussing style and gift trends for 2021.

Holiday Happening hosted 124 merchant booths spread out between the Exhibit Hall, Banquet Hall, Pedestrian Mall, and Food Court areas. Shoppers were able to experience a range of vendors from clothing and home décor to giftables and food items.

Our event wouldn’t be possible without our amazing sponsors and The Junior League extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the businesses and individuals who continually support Holiday Happening.

EXCLUSIVE PREMIER SPONSOR Market Street PREMIER SPONSOR Rushing Family Foundation TITANIUM The Dianna Romans Group Lee Lewis Construction Pat Ham Group, Pat Ham and Sharmai Ham, The Westmark Companies PLATINUM Double T Smiles / Dr. Nadene Tipton / Orthodontics for Children & Dr. Roger Tipton / Dentistry for Kids Kingsgate/Graco • Merrill Lynch GOLD Dr. Jessica Gray and Dr. Amy Sikes ALLIANCE Credit Union The Armstrong Family Foundation Prosperity Bank • Service Title DIAMOND City Bank St. Clair & Massey Orthodontics

2021 COMMITTEE 16

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

jllubbock.com

STERLING

EMERALD Aramark • Chick-fil-A

Cindy’s YOUnique Boutique

DesignEnvy • Slate Group

City Bank

SAPPHIRE Essence Bottling Company

Crenshaw, Dupree and Milam LLP

Little Guy’s Movers

PRESENTING MEDIA Alpha Media

Ramsower’s Furniture Shorts and Sweets Bakery RUBY Cricket’s Draft House + Grill Double T Smiles / Dr. Nadene Tipton / Orthodontics for Children & Dr. Roger Tipton / Dentistry for Kids Las Brisas South Plains Communications

TITLE MEDIA KCBD News Channel 11 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. PATRON MEDIA Ramar Communications CONTRIBUTING MEDIA KJTV - FOX34

Teinert Metals, Inc. UMC Children’s Hospital

SUPPORTING MEDIA

West Texas Oral Facial Surgery / Dr. Clint Barrett & Dr. Ryan Higley

Lubbock in the Loop • Choice Media

CRYSTAL Atmos Energy • Betenbough Homes

Merrell & Nichols Dentistry

N2 Publishing / Lakeridge Magazine, Rush Magazine, Kingsgate at Home Magazine, Oakmont Estates Magazine, & Orchard Park Magazine

PlainsCapital Bank

The Daily Toreador

Childress Photography • Dillard’s JB Mann Insurance Agency

Every November, the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center is transformed into a Winter Wonderland that ushers in the holidays with shopping, tradition, and special events that give back to a more than worthy cause. The Junior League of Lubbock is honored to host such an

Lubbock’s Home & Family Magazine

event with the support of our many community sponsors. This year’s event saw nearly 12,000 individuals come through the doors and raised a total of $406,213.60 to put back into our community!

We are already looking forward to

next year and can’t wait to see everyone November 16–20, 2022 for our 42nd Holiday Happening—Oh What Fun! Thank you, Lubbock, for a successful and memorable 41st Annual Holiday Happening!

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

17

18

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

jllubbock.com

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

19

Touch-a-Truck

By Christi Felton

Touch-a-Truck is a free, family-friendly community event that brings in children of all ages, including adults, and gives them a chance to touch, feel, and interact with various types of vehicles and equipment owned by businesses and members of the community. Touch-a-Truck hosts a variety of first responder vehicles, construction and farm equipment, car clubs, city services, and more. The attendees get to meet the operators of the machines and learn about what it takes to do their jobs and how the equipment works.

This year’s 2022 Touch-a-Truck event went off without a hitch! We were so happy it all came together, and that we were able to celebrate this event with 3,000 of our closest friends.

In an effort to bring inclusivity to this event, we held what was called a “Horn-Free” hour for the first hour of the event. This “Horn-Free” hour was an hour set aside for those with sensory issues. There were no horns, lights and sirens, or loud music. Additionally, this year we partnered with Cornerstone Audiology and LBK Can to offer

20

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

earplugs, gloves, and glasses for those who are sensitive.

This year we not only offered the sensory station, but had car seat checks done by TX Department of Transportation, bicycle safety information and helmets were handed out by the County Medical Society, and our very own Kids in the Kitchen did live demonstrations of building healthy snacks while also providing a bag to take home. 100 Club was also there giving out information on financial assistance that helps and supports first responders.

Children in the community got to interact with the Lubbock Fire Department, Lubbock PD, Mounted Patrol, SWAT, and the Lubbock Sheriff’s Department. Texas Tech Police were also there handing out stickers, Treehouse Children’s Academy shared their preschool bus, and the City of Lubbock had their all-electric and very quiet bus on hand.

Kids were given stuffed animals, drain un-cloggers, milk and cookies, coloring books, books, stress balls and magnets, all thanks to our wonderful

partners.

Carpet Tech, a Big Rig Sponsor, was there teaching kids how to clean carpets. Slaton Bakery was handing out recipes from their vintage bakery delivery truck. Barricades Unlimited, who donated the perimeter cones, showed kids their flat beds and what they use to move their equipment. We even had special guests Raider Red, Sonic the Hedgehog, and SpongeBob! A big shout out to ASCO as our title sponsor and Carpet Tech as our Big Rig Sponsor!

Fox Pest, HEB, and Treehouse Children’s Academy also generously donated to help make this event happen.

We were offered many in-kind services like barricades from Barricades Unlimited, bags from Visit Lubbock, tire gauges from Discount Tire on 82nd Street, water from Colligan Water of Lubbock, printing by Living Water Copy and Printing, the Touch-a-Truck banner by Office Depot, and all the wonderful barbeque plates for our volunteers from Bigham’s Smokehouse.

jllubbock.com

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

21

South Plains Food2Kids

By Katie Randolph

During the 2021-2022 school year, South Plains Food2Kids has served over 2,000 elementary children in Lubbock Independent School District (Lubbock ISD) totaling over 55,000 sacks of food sent home with children over the weekend. In comparison to previous years, this number is higher than average, indicating growth in the program. In addition, three new elementary schools were added to the program this year: Carmona-Harrison, Waters, and Preston Smith Elementary. This growth was not without challenges due to COVID-19 restrictions and food supply availability. Despite the challenges, the program continued to improve, feeding children who often did not know where there next meal would come from.

This year was year three of a fiveyear transition of the program from the Junior League of Lubbock (JLL) to a stand-alone non-profit organization called South Plains Food2Kids. Ka-

cee Hogg, a Junior League Sustaining Member, serves as the President and Executive Director of this non-profit and is committed to its success. As part of the transition process, the JLL currently funds the South Plains Food2Kids program at 60% of normal operating costs and provides a committee of five members and 12 placed stuffers as League volunteers to communicate with school contacts, organize volunteers, and manage sack stuffing shifts. The placed committee alone has contributed close to 600 hours collectively to the program this year. One of committee’s goals this year was to build relationships with external volunteer groups. Outside of JLL members, South Plains Food2Kids has facilitated over a dozen external groups that have volunteered with the program this year. These groups included, but are not limited to, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Office of the President/Provost, Texas Tech

University System (TTUS) offices, Texas Tech University (TTU) College of Arts & Sciences Ambassadors, TTU Chi Alpha Omega Sorority, TTU Accounting Office, TTU Texas State Teacher Association – Student Program, TTU Homecoming Court, East Point Baptist Church, Taylor Reid Reality, Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, Hutch Middle School, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The number of external volunteers has continued to rise during each year of transition.

I am excited to see how the program continues to grow and develop during the final two years of the transition plan, and beyond. South Plains Food2Kids is the reason I joined the Junior League of Lubbock, and it has brought me great joy to be on the committee for three years. With careful planning and transition from both the League and South Plains Food2Kids, I have no doubt the program will continue to thrive and grow.

SOUTH PLAINS FOOD2KIDS FOOD SACK BINS, TTUHSC OFFICE OF PRESIDENT/ OFFICE OF THE PROVOST, AND VOLUNTEERS AFTER A SHIFT 22

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

jllubbock.com

SPARK Program

By Laura Beth Fossett

Remember your eighth-grade year? The big kid on campus. It’s great, but it’s also a bit awkward. There’s so much pressure to figure out who you want to be, make good grades, play sports, learn an instrument. People are constantly questioning what your life plan is—but you’re just a teenager!

Eighth grade can be such a hard year.

This is where SPARK comes in. SPARK aims to work with students who may not be as involved in extracurricular activities, who would benefit from outside engagement, and who could flourish with the encouragement of a mentor.

We choose the ones who hang back, not exactly certain where they fit in. Those are our girls. In accordance with the mission of the Junior League of Lubbock, SPARK seeks to develop the potential of these eighth-grade girls. We want to help make those formative teenage Junior High and High School years just a little bit easier. We want these girls to know that they aren’t yet who they are meant to become, but they will soon get there. We strive to be an example, mentor, and friend to these girls. We just want to be someone they can trust and depend on. We show up.

This year, the SPARK program experimented with a new schedule. Instead of five events, we pledged to have

two lunches a month, every month, with a group of SPARK girls on three LISD campuses: Cavazos, Dunbar, and O.L. Slaton. We had great attendance and engagement: in total, we mentored approximately 40 girls.

Throughout the year, we would play icebreakers, ask them about their days and weeks, and give advice on how to handle problems the girls encountered.

While our goal was to be an example to them, they were an example and inspiration to us.

One committee member explained it as, “I have learned through this process that these eighth-grade girls are so strong and manage their classes, extracurricular activities, sports, and friendships all while having stressful situations at home or within the school. Our counselor has mentioned

a few times that the girls have really benefited from having a “safe space” to come to for lunch where they can relax and get away from the chaos for a few minutes. In the beginning, we had two groups that formed—almost like the athletes and the academic focused girls separated. However, by the end of the year, the conversation flowed between both groups so well. It was very cool to see. It was an incredible experience!”

As always, the SPARK Committee has to be flexible and intuitive to the needs of the young women we are serving. We hosted a weekend event in December at a member’s coffee shop, Tumbleweed and Sage, but learned that attendance outside of school hours is difficult for this group of participants.

Though attendance was lower than we had hoped, we partied anyway! We decorated paper sacks for Meals on Wheels deliveries, instilling the importance of giving back. We also played games and had a cookie decorating contest. A great time was had by all!

In lieu of an end of the year event, we chose to have more engagement with the girls by hosting an extended lunch at their school with special activities. Celebrating with these girls is always a good time!

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

23

“Back in the Kitchen”

By Rebecca Cord

Kids in the Kitchen brought renewed creativity to its mission to introduce little mouths to healthy eating options. As the ability to once again interact directly with the community opened up this League year, the Kids in the Kitchen committee worked hard to identify opportunities to meet its goal of empowering children and families with the knowledge of healthy lifestyle options. The committee did just that and presented healthy and fun recipe ideas at a total of five events.

In the fall, Junior League of Lubbock members were invited to carve pumpkins, which were then put on display at the Kids in the Kitchen’s set up as part of the 13th Annual Pumpkin Trail at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum. Families who walked through

24

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

the trail could take photos in a little chef cut-out photo stand, created by Kids in the Kitchen Chair Marissa-Anne Melakian, and snap a picture of four family-friendly fall recipes to try at home.

Kids in the Kitchen spread more healthy Halloween fun by participating in Trick or Treat Street. Hundreds of kids came by with their parents and got to take home a recipe kit for peanut butter energy bites or “Hulk” green smoothies.

In the spring, Kids in the Kitchen hosted cooking classes at the Roots Booker T. Washington Community Garden pop-up farmers market and the South Plains Food Bank’s GRUB Farm, a farm and community garden that is designed to teach young adults life and job skills. Around a dozen of those youth got a taste of healthy breakfasts as the

Kids in the Kitchen team helped them bake pancakes and waffles featuring healthy mix-ins and toppings, including zucchini waffles that were a surprisingly big hit! The committee rounded out the year with a booth at JLL’s Toucha-Truck, where they handed out recipe kits to make “Zoom Zoom” energy bites and fruit and veggie cars.

Throughout the year, the committee also brainstormed ways to expand the mission of Kids in the Kitchen to reach even more children, such as cooking demonstrations and tastings at farmers markets and YouTube Kids videos featuring kids cooking with adult mentor chefs. Next year’s Kids in the Kitchen committee is set up for success and everyone looks forward to seeing their impact!

jllubbock.com

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

25

2021-2022 STRATEGIC GOALS The Junior League of Lubbock is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMMUNITY IMPACT COUNCIL

Foster member engagement by developing the potential of members, empowering commitment to community improvement , and supporting work of committees and councils to contribute to the mission of the Junior League of Lubbock.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Positively impact the community through the effective action of trained members and meaningful projects.

Foster commitment to the Junior League of Lubbock by developing member understanding of how individual placements impact the organization and Lubbock community.

FINANCE COUNCIL Ensure organizational fiscal responsibility with comprehensive budgeting, strategic financial planning, and transparent reporting.

South Plains Food2Kids: Support the South Plains Food2Kids organization and its mission by effectively managing stuffing shifts and fostering relationships with volunteer groups and Lubbock ISD school liaisons.

Kids in the Kitchen: Empower children and families with knowledge of healthy lifestyle options by identifying strategic community partners who can introduce children and League Committee members to new opportunities.

SPARK: Train members on the impact of a caring adult in a teenage girl’s life in order to build and maintain positive relationships between Junior League of Lubbock volunteers and mentees, providing meaningful leadership development.

Community Focus Area: Support the Junior League of Lubbock’s Focus Area of Childhood Safety by engaging committee members in meaningful service, both individually and as a group, with agencies committed to improving our community.

26

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

Foster member engagement to promote satisfaction and fulfillment among members as well as exemplary performance in placement responsibilities.

Expand efforts to recruit a diverse group of potential league members that reflect and celebrate the Lubbock community.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Contribute to the Junior League of Lubbock’s mission to develop the potential of women by creating opportunities that both enhance inclusivity and attract a diverse group with a passion to serve the Lubbock community.

Membership Enrichment: Foster member engagement by seeking out opportunities to support and celebrate League members contributions and successes.

Nominating: Thoughtfully select future leaders of the Junior League of Lubbock who will honor the League’s mission, advance its progress, and foster an inclusive community of members.

PMDC: Promote Provisional Member engagement, excitement, and knowledge about the Junior League of Lubbock by empowering, leading, and supporting the 2021-2022 Provisional Class.

Sustainer/Transfer Relations: Engage Sustaining Members and welcome new Transfer Members through a variety of networking events and learning opportunities that connect them to the Junior League of Lubbock community.

OPERATIONS COUNCIL Make forward-thinking decisions that align to the needs of present and future members and other stakeholders.

Advisory Planning: Develop and implement a long-term outreach plan for the Junior League of Lubbock to increase effectiveness in the areas of public relations, community outreach, publicity, and recruitment.

Arrangements: Foster engagement among members at General Meetings, increase social networking opportunities, and support the work of League committees and councils.

Bylaws: Ensure organizational effectiveness by reviewing, interpreting, and updating Junior League of Lubbock Bylaws and policies as needed in support of the organization’s Strategic Plan.

FUND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Add monetary value to the Junior League of Lubbock through a diversity of sponsors, donors, and community partners.

Create sustainable and replicable fund development systems to help with transitioning and sustainability of process.

Holiday Happening: Contribute to the fund development efforts of the Junior League of Lubbock through strategic and successful event planning and empowerment of committee leaders to create a culture of teamwork and effective communication.

Touch-a-Truck: Host a communityfriendly event that contributes to the fund development efforts of the Junior league of Lubbock, engages the community, and promotes the mission of the League and its members.

Publicity: Effectively utilize communication tools and methods to promote the mission of the League and enhance public awareness of the League’s impact in the Lubbock community.

Fundraising & Donations: Support the mission of the Junior League of Lubbock by: 1) developing clear workflow processes that allow for consistency of donor contributions, and; 2) strengthening relationships between the League and community partners.

Research & Development: Develop a future Junior League of Lubbock Signature Project under the 2023-2028 Focus Area of Elder Care by researching community needs, planning for effective use of financial and human resources, and communicating progress to relevant stakeholders.

Foundation Development: Promote the mission of the Junior League of Lubbock Foundation by hosting an inaugural event for the purposes of raising funds for the Foundation, engaging Sustaining members, and promoting the mission of the League to the community.

jllubbock.com

New Sustaining Members

LESLIE COLLINS

SHELLY MERRELL

TRACI SIEBENLIST

JULIE DUBOSE

KATHY OAKS

ASHLEY KNOX

LISA SAWYER

JENNIFER STEWART

TIFFANY SCHULER

IVY ZEPEDA

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

27

Incoming Leadership

By Jessie Cayton

It is with so much joy that I get to talk to you about what the next year looks like for the Junior League of Lubbock. We have certainly learned to expect the unexpected these last few years, but we are in an incredible position moving forward into next year thanks to the amazing leadership of this year’s Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and our President, Leslie Collins. It is humbling for me to have the daunting task of following a leader like Leslie in continuing to move our organization forward, but working with her so closely has been a joy and a privilege that I know will continue to help me lead well.

Our goal next year is to continue to

be an organization of women who are devoted to what the League has to offer—to each of us individually, the committees and councils we work with, and to groups and organizations impacted by our work. We want to be an organization of women actively engaged in and working toward the goals we set together.

The goal of this next year is to lead an exceptional group of members to be deeply invested in the work of our League, and to add value to the lives of the women dedicating themselves to this work and the communities and groups impacted by our efforts.

The work of our League is indispensable to the Lubbock community,

2022-2023 LEADERSHIP TEAM Jessie Cayton President Lauren Maclaskey President-Elect Jessica Tullar-Caroom Community Impact Vice President Amanda Owens Fund Development Vice President Carolyn Wilkerson Finance Vice President Kristin Boles Membership Development Vice President Marlise Hernandez-Boyles Bylaws Chair Kathy Rollo Board of Directors Sustaining Advisor Christi Felton Advisory Planning Chair/ Nominating Chair Anna Delano Arrangements Chair Lindsey Diaz Community Focus Area Chair Rachel Teaff Community Focus Area Assistant Chair Bobby Monk Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair Cori Long Finance Vice President-Elect Tara Lashford Foundation Development Assistant Chair

28

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

and impossible to accomplish without all of our amazing members. Our League makes such an impact on the community because of our collective action, and that work is led by our Leadership Team. This group of women has said “yes” to leading our efforts with a multitude of different strengths and experiences. We are a better organization for the voices that contribute to making our signature projects more effective, our fundraisers more profitable, and our members’ experiences more meaningful.

It’s my privilege to introduce the 2022-2023 Leadership Team to you.

Briana Vela Fund Development Vice President-Elect Lindsay Rushing Fundraising and Donations Chair Tiffany Heape Fundraising and Donations Assistant Chair Krista Jones Headquarters Chair TJ Evans Holiday Happening Chair Amy Hayes Holiday Happening Assistant Chair Marissa-Anne Melakian Kids in the Kitchen Chair Debbie Littlejohn Kids in the Kitchen Assistant Chair Ginny Simpson Membership Development VP-Elect Kristin Miller Membership Enrichment Chair Kathy Wells PMDC Chair Courtney Turner Publicity Chair Katie Randolph Publicity Assistant Chair Latisha Tomlinson Research and Development Chair Libby Spradlin South Plains Food 2 Kids Chair Katherine Byrne SPARK Chair Destiny Adams SPARK Assistant Chair Lauren Uryasz Sustainer/Transfer Relations Chair Mackenzie Payton Touch-a-Truck Chair Heather McClellan Touch-a-Truck Assistant Chair

jllubbock.com

Junior League of Lubbock Foundation SECURING TOMORROW, TODAY.

The purpose of the Junior League of Lubbock Inc.’s Foundation is to prepare for the long-term financial future of the Junior League of Lubbock—both to sustain our ability to continue to impact the Lubbock community as we have in the past and to maintain our facilities.

Just like a family makes plans to save for their future­­ —like retirement or their children’s education—JLL has been making that same long-term investment to ensure our future work in the community as an ongoing legacy to the hard work and diligent efforts of JLL since its beginning in 1935.

A donation to the JLL Foundation is a tax-deductible donation that will continue to grow and assist in sustaining our League’s impact in the community for future generations.

When one donates, there are three options for designating donations to the Foundation:

• The Foundation Community Fund, which provides funding for community projects adopted by the Junior League of Lubbock, Inc.

• The Foundation Headquarters Fund, which provides funding for capital improvements, furnishings, and maintenance of the facilities of the Junior League of Lubbock, Inc.

• Foundation Endowment – General. The monies donated to this fund provide funding for both the Community Fund and the Headquarters Fund, with specific disbursements to Community Fund or Headquarters Fund to be determined by the Junior League of Lubbock Foundation Board.

When one gives to the Foundation Headquarters Fund, the Foundation Community Fund, or to the Foundation Endowment – General account, the gift can be made in honor of that fellow League member or special person to recognize their accomplishments, friendship, anniversary, birth of a child, graduation, or other special occasion.

An acknowledgment is sent to both the contributor and the person being honored. For memorial gifts, a card is sent to the family of the deceased.

Small or large, all contributions are welcomed. You can donate today by cutting out the donation form on the back of this page, filling it out, and mailing it to 4205 84th Street, Lubbock, TX 79423.

You can also donate online at https://www.jllubbock.com/system/ donate_summary/ or download the printable form at https://members. jllubbock.com/ama/orig/Foundation/ JLL_Foundation_Donation_Form.pdf and fill it out to mail your contribution.

J U N I O R L E A G U E O F LU B B OC K

29

JLL Foundation SECURING TOMORROW, TODAY.

The Junior League of Lubbock, Inc.’s Foundation was established to provide funding to support the Junior League of Lubbock, Inc. community projects and maintenance for our Headquarters.

A donation to the JLL Foundation is a tax deductible donation that will continue to grow and assist in sustaining our League for future generations.

FOUNDATION COMMUNITY FUND:

FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS FUND:

FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT – GENERAL:

Provides spending on community projects adopted by the Junior League of Lubbock, Inc.

Provides spending for capital improvements, furnishings and maintenance of the facilities of the Junior League of Lubbock, Inc.

Provides funding for both the Community Fund and the Headquarters Fund, with specific disbursements to the Community Fund or Headquarters Fund to be determined by the Junior League of Lubbock Foundation Board

I would like to make a tax-deductible donation in that amount of $___________________ Please charge the above amount to my credit card Designate my gift to:

Foundation Community Fund

Enclosed is my check

Foundation Headquarters Fund

Credit Card #____________________________ Exp. Date: ________

MC /

Foundation Endowment - General Visa (Security Code _______)

Name on card:_____________________________________________________________________________ Signature:________________________________________________________________________________ Name:___________________________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________ City/State/Zip:_________________________ Phone:______________________ Email:_______________________________________________________ My donation is in memory of:_______________________________________________________________ My donation is in honor of:_________________________________________________________________ Please DO NOT acknowledge this gift publicly Send notification to:_________________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________ City/State/Zip:_________________________

Please return to: JLL Foundation, 4205 84th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79423 or donate online at www.jllubbock.com 30

20 2 1 -2 0 2 2 An n u al Re p o r t

jllubbock.com

4205 84TH STREET LUBBOCK, TX 79423