MOUNTAIN MESSAGES 18 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SUMMER 2019
League Celebrates 95th Year Anniversary The Junior League of Charleston celebrated its 95th Anniversary in October 2018. The group held a “Mimosa Brunch” at Edgewood Country Club in Charleston in honor of the occasion. Mrs. Alice Abernethy was presented with the Diamond Award and gifted an Ian Bode original piece of art that represents the quilt cover of the Mountain Measures cookbook. The league also celebrated the past presidents and welcomed the provisionals in attendance at the event. Fifteen past presidents and current
Past and current presidents of the Junior League of Charleston celebrate the anniversary of the league at Edgewood Country Club in Charleston. league president Laura Suppa Sammons gathered in honor of the
anniversary. Events celebrating the anniversary contin-
ued through the year, including socials, fundraising and more.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ASHLEY MILLER PAGE 2
NEW SPRING 2019 PROVISIONAL CLASS PROJECT PAGE 3
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLESTON EVENT UPDATES PAGE 4
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SUMMER 2019
Letter From Incoming President Ashley Miller Ninety-five years of strong women making an impact on the Charleston community is a perfect description of the Junior League of Charleston and I am honored and humbled to serve as your President. It is hard to grasp that another year has ended; I admire the members of this organization and all we have accomplished in our 95th anniversary year. As we enter into the 20192020 league year, we have the unique opportunity to usher in a new strategic plan, rewrite the bylaws and policies and make our new headquarters at 18 California Avenue a real home. All of this while still hosting our fundraisers throughout the year, supporting other community organizations and developing
the potential of our incredible Active, Sustainer and Provisional members. To our current actives, I look forward to growing together, socializing together and inspiring one another as we continue to add to the legacy of previous members committed to empowering one another and making Charleston a better place. To our sustainers, thank you for your continued support and for sustaining our league. I always remember the women who came before us, who put many things in motion that allow us to make the impact we do today - I look forward to getting to know each of you more as this year gets started! Let us be confident that
past, present and future, no matter the challenge, no matter the issues, we are The Junior League...and WE GOT THIS. Here’s to a fantastic 20192020 league year! Ashley Miller
GRATITUDE CAMPAIGN The Junior League of Charleston was named Morgan Rhea’s Gratitude Campaign in April. For each handmade bracelet sold, 50 percent of the purchase price is donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The total amount raised was $285. The Junior League of Charleston has pledged to fund and maintain the Ronald McDonald House Playroom for children to enjoy during their stays. The Playroom allows children to experience a moment of normalcy during a difficult time in their lives. For more information on this project, visit www.gratitudebymr.com.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SUMMER 2019
Spring Provisional Class Hosts ‘Hygiene For Humanity,’ Raises $1,000 for Charity The Spring Provisional Class created the “Hygiene for Humanity” project to collect feminine hygiene products for local charities. Hygiene for Humanity is a project that focused on placing donation boxes at various Charleston businesses where people could deposit feminine hygiene products to benefit the
YWCA Charleston and Manna Meal. The Junior League of Charleston collected 1,536 tampons, 3,627 pads and liners, and countless shampoo, conditioner and other hygiene products for a total estimated value of $1,011.77. Rock City Cake Company, Taylor Books, Ellen’s Homemade
Ice Cream, Ooh La Lucy, the Junior League Office, Charleston Chiropractic Company, Charleston Vision Source, Fusion Fitness Studios, and Mea Cuppa Coffee accepted donations throughout the month of April. New Spring Provisional Members include Kate Carter, Candace Nelson, Sam Nygaard, Myrand Pike and Sara Price.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SUMMER 2019
Event Updates
Held at the Hale Street Center, Fiesta De Mayo raised $4,100 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern West Virginia Playroom and signature project, Backpack Buddies this year.
ABOVE: The Junior League of Charleston held its New Member Meet & Greet at its new location on California Avenue, with this homemade cake from Tori Petterson. RIGHT: Membership activities throughout the year included this one at Pottery Place.
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JLCHARLESTONWV.ORG
SUMMER 2019
Placements 2019-20
MAY BRUNCH
The Junior League of Charleston celebrated its 95th anniversary by completing 521 volunteer hours this year within our community. We also recognized Outstanding Provisional Member Candace Nelson for her representation of the Junior League of Charleston during the provisional hygiene drive and Outstanding Member Adrienne Kastan for her work on JLC Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Our most provisional volunteer hours went to Sam Nygaard, most active member hours to Elizabeth Belcher, and most board member hours to Lesley Shamblin.
President: Ashley Miller President Elect: Lesley Shamblin Secretary: Lindsay Silbernagel Treasurer: Taylor Bailey Treasurer Elect: Erin Deegan Membership Vice President: Ryanne Ball Communications Vice President: Lauren Gates Community Vice President: Kristen Ross Ways and Means Vice President: Megan Kueck Placement Chair: Emily Spradling Provisional Chair #1: Candice Harlow Provisional Chair #2: Jessica Westfall Director at Large: Maggie Payne Nominating Chair: Laura Suppa Sammons
Letter From Outgoing President Laura Suppa I can’t believe the 95th Anniversary Year is over! With a move into a new office space in January, this year was a transitional time in League history. Over the years, the Junior League of Charleston has shrunk in size but grown in heart and I am honored to have served as the President for such an outstanding organization. This year was filled with so many accomplishments for our League and the Charles-
ton community we serve. Our Fall All Aboard Fundraiser and Spring Fiesta de Mayo Fundraiser helped us raise enough to donate $15,000 to the Ronald McDonald House for our Playroom commitment. I am also proud of our new member projects in which the fall group made care bags for women receiving chemotherapy at CAMC Cancer Center, and the spring group collected over $1,000 worth of feminine hygiene items for those in
need. We also had many wonderful member and sustainer social events to strengthen the bonds between the great women in this organization. Knowing the women of the Junior League of Charleston, past and present, has made me better person and I have made many lifelong friends! We are women building better communities. We are rebels with a cause. We are invincible
volunteers who keep calm and lead. Together, we are unstoppable! Thank you all for such an amazing 2018-2019 year!