Fall 2015
MOUNTAIN MESSAGES FROM THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLESTON, WV
President’s Message Tiffany Hoke, JLC President In September, I had the pleasure of attending a reception at the Ronald McDonald House for our Sustainers. We were blessed with beautiful weather that allowed us to be outside in the courtyard. The staff of the Ronald McDonald House was on hand to discuss the efforts under way to build a new house in the coming year and I had the privilege of announcing our commitment to fund and oversee the design of the playroom in the new house. While the focus of the night was largely on what the future holds for the Ronald McDonald House, spending time with the Sustainers caused me to reflect on the legacy of the JLC. Several Sustainers talked about their involvement in the building of the current house - including one lady whose name is on the top leaf of the tree dedicated inside the front doors. Other Sustainers talked about lessons they had learned or, in some cases, lessons they had taught while in the League. One woman remembered a provisional class lesson where the leader donned a formal gown and pristine white gloves. She spoke of the hard work involved in being part of the JLC, then turned her hands around to reveal that the palms of the gloves were stained and dirty! Each of the Sustainers talked with great enthusiasm about the time she spent in the JLC ten, twenty or even forty years ago. In this newsletter, we have documented many ways that our current members have used their talents as part of the League. As the year goes on, I hope each of you will consider what makes you enthusiastic about being in the JLC and then act on it! This is a time of tremendous change and growth, and each of your contributions are invaluable if we are going to do things we can still be proud of decades from now.
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Fall 2015
JLC History Mrs. Alice Abernethy, Sustainer The JLC sustainers are excited about our league’s involvement in the construction of the new Charleston, WV, Ronald McDonald house. First, we love to hear about a project that we can follow with news reports, allowing us, as well as the community, to feel the impact of our league. Second, we celebrate the second opportunity to participate in an enduring mission to assist tangibly those who nurture the youngest members of our society. Our league members were active in the planning, construction, and implementation of services when Charleston built its first house. Along with three other groups, the HOPE organization of parents of children with cancer, the McDonalds owners of Kanawha and Putnam counties, and the CAMC pediatric oncology staff, league members were full participants in bringing this project to fruition. We served on boards and committees, we participated in the speakers’ bureau to educate community members about the house, we raised funds, we helped write the volunteers’ manual, we determined guidelines our guests needed to follow, and we trained the initial volunteers. Later, we helped establish a restful area in the hospital for parents who wanted to stay by their child’s side, we developed a playroom at the house for patients and their siblings, and we provided meals for the residents. Most importantly, we have remained a presence at the house through its existence, supporting its valuable work. We know that the current league members will be enriched, as we were, by participating in this new version of the Ronald McDonald House. We are continuing to work on the integrity of our database, especially as it relates to Sustainers. Do you know any Sustainers? If you could reach out to see if they received our recent letter, or could check to make sure we have their current contact information, please let us know! Contact Katherine Mullins (mullins_katherine@yahoo.com) if you have questions or thoughts.
Our Mission The Junior League of Charleston 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. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. We reach out to women of all races, religions, or national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.
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Fall 2015
Fall 2015 Provisional Class Meghann Caldwell and Ashley Oldaker, JLC Provisional Co-Chairs The Summer Mix and Mingle and Provisional Welcome Party was held on August 18, at the home of Lindsey McIntosh.
This year we welcome the following ladies as provisionals: Ashton Bias, Bethany Belding, Charity Sayre, Brittany Vascik, Megan Phillips, Amanda Harrison, Catherine Brewer, Dana Smook, Laura Eid, Jordan Martin, Jamilah Clarke, Kelsey Clough, Lori Suddath, Renata Padon, Traci Easter, Anna Hawkins, Liz Schindzielorz, Devon Jefferson, Lora Maynard, Megan Callaghan, Kristin Warner, Sophie Rosenberg The group met for their first social on October 8th, for dinner and happy hour at The Block.
Fall 2105 Provisional Projects 1. Book Drive for the Sojourner’s Shelter and the Davis Child Center Project Leader: Catherine Brewer Please consider donating used books for the Davis Child Center or purchasing books from the JLC AmazonWish List using Amazon Smile for Sojourner’s. 2. Lily Pad Project for CAMC Project Leaders: Ashton Bias and Brittany Vascik The provisionals will be making seats for IV poles that children can sit or stand on to be transported with their IVs. 3
Fall 2015
Calendar of Events Laura Suppa Sammons, JLC Newsletter Editor
Girls’ Night Out - August 15th Girls’ Night Out is a party with a purpose: to end domestic violence. The largest women-only fundraiser in the region supporting the YWCA Resolve Program. Volunteers: Meagan Shelton, Tiffany Hoke, Jenna Everhart, Susu Kapourales, Hillary Homburg, Lauren Shah, Meghann Caldwell, Julie Miller, Lindsey McIntosh, Lauren Estep, Allison Sutherland, Allison Keller, Laura Suppa Sammons
Sustainer Wine and Cheese - September 17th The Ronald McDonald House hosted JLC Members and Sustainers for a Wine and Cheese event at their current Kanawha City location. At this event the Sustainers were introduced to the plans for a new RMH and the JLC’s commitment to furnish the Play Room in the new house.
Sustainers in Attendance: Beverly McElroy, Libby Stultz, Lyne Ranson, Sharon Curnutte, Marie Nesius, Pam Harvit, Elizabeth Adams, Amanda Ream, Amy Swann, Cathy Rice, Gina Rugeley, Bonnie Brothers, Alice Abernethy, Christen Raines, Lisa Pence, Felice Joseph, Melanie VanMetre, Diane Hendricks, Susan Harpold, Kitty Atkins
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Fall 2015
September Membership Event - September 22nd JQ Dickinson Salt-Works in Malden hosted a tour of their facility and hors d’oeuvres featuring their salt for JLC Members, Provisionals, and significant others.
Guys’ Night Out - October 3rd Guys’ Night Out is an annual fundraising event centered around a WVU football game organized by a committee of all male volunteers. All proceeds benefit homeless women and families at the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter.
Volunteers: Laura Suppa Sammons, Meagan Shelton, Allison Keller, Lindsey Silbernagel, Lindsey McIntosh, Tiffany Gregory, Kristin Moody, Dana Smoot (provisional), Anna Hawkins (provisional)
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Fall 2015
King Center Preschool Beautification Day - October 17th The Junior League of Charleston is partnering with AT&T to expand STEM programming at the King Center. Using a $1,000 contribution from AT&T, the Junior League of Charleston will be purchasing STEM kits that can be used in the center’s classrooms. We also spearheaded a beautification day at the King Center where we came together with parents and children of the school to paint, plaint and clean.
Volunteers: Tiffany Hoke, Kathleen Weekly, Elizabeth Devault, Meghann Caldwell, Nicki Holly, Jennifer Sayre, Lindsay Silbernagel, Jenny Herrald, Hillary Homburg, Allison Keller, Lauren Shah, Jamilah Clarke (provisional)
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Fall 2015
Halloween Party for YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter - October 26 The JLC held a Halloween Party for approximately 20 children and 40 adults living at the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter. There were costumes, food, games, crafts, and LOTS of candy!!!
Volunteers: Tiffany Hoke, Kristin Moody, Laura Suppa Sammons, Ashley Noland, Maggie Payne, Jennifer Sayre, Ashley Oldaker, Mary Catherine Funk, Katie Hicklin, Jennifer Casto, Chelsea Ketron, Meagan Shelton, Anna Hawkins (provisional), Catherine Brewer (provisional)
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Fall 2015
Signature Project - Backpack Buddies Chloe Kamm Castleman, Signature Project Chair In March 2015, the JLC voted to continue our efforts with the Backpack Buddies project and make this cause our new Signature Project. Our partner school this year was King Center Pre-K, where we have provided the students with supplemental nutrition bags at least two weekends per month. Since we started the program last year, we have stuffed almost 2,000 backpacks for our little buddies. We look forward to expanding the program in the coming years to include dentalhealth items and books, as well as helping other community organizations mirror our program at additional schools. The need for this project is great and we’re excited and honored to help expand the program in our region. At this time, each Backpack Buddy bag includes an individual cereal, cheese or peanut butter crackers, animal crackers, a pudding, a fruit cup, an applesauce & a juice box. The first bag stuffing of the fall was held October 22 at the JLC Office. Please continue to bring donations for Backpack Buddies to monthly GMM’s as we are not only continuing this program, but hoping to expand it. Donations of individual cereal, cheese and peanut butter crackers, animal crackers, pudding, fruit cups, applesauce and juice would be appreciated. Buying in bulk is preferred; however, if you do not shop at a bulk supplier, we would appreciate financial contributions of any size. Please contact Tiffany Hoke (tiffanyhoke@gmail.com) if you have any questions or ideas for this project.
Upcoming Events November 11/3 - Tuesday, 6:30-8pm, Girl Scout meeting at Trinity United Methodist Church 11/5 - Thursday, 6-8:30, Member Event - Cupcake decorating at Cakes by Appointment 11/9 - Monday, 6:30pm Social, 7pm GMM at 405 Capitol St, happy hour to follow 11/17 - Tuesday, 6:30-8pm, Girl Scout meeting at Trinity United Methodist Church 11/17 - Tuesday, 6:30, Fall party at the Davis Child Shelter 11/18 - Wednesday, Thanksgiving Dinner at Bob Burdette Emmanuel Baptist 11/20- Friday, Sustainer Tea at the home of Anne Silbernagel TBA - Thanksgiving Dinner at Bob Burdette Calvary Baptist and N. Charleston Baptist
December 12/1 - Tuesday, 6:30-8:30, Murder Mystery Dinner at Charleston Women’s Club *** Send pictures from any event/service activity/meeting to: Lauren Shah ***
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Fall 2015
2015-2016 Board Members President: Tiffany Hoke President-Elect: Katie Berger Secretary: Katherine Mullins Treasurer: E. Kassie Moore Treasurer-Elect: Maggie Payne Membership Vice President: Kara Boehm Community Vice President: Nicki Holly Communications Vice President: Lauren Jarvis Shah Ways & Means Vice President: Lindsey McIntosh Director-At-Large: Brandi Conroy Nominating Chair: Tiffany Gregory Placement Chair: Jenny Herrald Provisional Development Co-Chairs: Meghann Caldwell & Ashley Oldaker Sustainer Advisor: Amy Swann
Social Media Lauren Jarvis Shah, Communications Chair Closed Facebook group: Public Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1558587871088120/ https://www.facebook.com/jlchas
Instagram:
@jlofcharleston
Twitter:
@JLCharlestonWV
Amazon Smile:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/55-0491773
If you use Amazon, please sign up for AmazonSmile and select Junior League of Charleston as your charity. Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price on items marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” to your charity.
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