2012-2013 Done In A Day Projects

Hope Family Services

Membership had the opportunity to hear the inspirational Executive Director of Hope Family Services, Laurel Lynch speak at the November General Meeting. JLMC also presented a donation of much-needed supplies, such as blankets, toys, and toiletries, for the domestic violence victims staying at the Hope Family Emergency shelters. The donation was valued at $370. 

Community Coalition of Homelessness' Turning Point Center

Junior League of Manatee County donated $1500 in cool weather attire for boys and girls ages 12 and under to Community Coalition of Homelessness' Turning Point Center. The donation included jeans and long sleeved shirts, footed sleep and travel wear, warm up suits, hooded jackets, undergarments, socks, sneakers and blankets for the upcoming winter season.

 

2011-2012 Done In A Day Projects

Pride Park Family Fun Packs

Junior League of Manatee County donated around $3,000 in educational materials and board games to residents of the Pride Park neighborhood, which consists of primarily very low-income families. Junior League was able to reach more than 150 residents at its Fall Festival on Saturday November 5th. League member, Andrea Johnson, who has previously volunteered in Pride Park, identified the need of educational materials for the families with young kids. She registered families in advance of the festival for Family Fun Packs, goody bags consisting of a board game, workbooks for math, reading, and phonics, flashcards and other educational materials. JLMC believes in the importance of education to help students overcome poverty, and for students to reach their full potential.  As students picked up their Family Fun Packs, League members encouraged them to stay in school, to play their games together as a family, and to achieve their goals.  

 

$6,000 Food Donation to F.E.L.T. (Feeding Empty Little Tummies)

Through research into ways to benefit children in need, a new local organization, Feeding Empty Little Tummies (F.E.L.T.), came to League's attention. F.E.L.T. acts to meet the needs of an estimated 900 homeless children that go hungry on the weekends. The children receive two meals a day during school, but have nothing to eat on the weekends. JLMC made a $6,000 donation to F.E.L.T. With this donation, an estimated thirty kids will be provided with weekend meals for six months. Jane Evers, the founder of F.E.L.T., was invited to speak about the mission of her organization at the League's general meeting on November 8th and was then surprised with the donation check. Evers encompasses the qualities JLMC strives to instill in all of its members, that of being a leader in improving our community, and an advocate of voluntarism.  

 

SOLVE Maternity Home Donation

There are three SOLVE Maternity Homes in our community to assist teenage girls and women with unplanned pregnancies. Junior League of Manatee Countyhas a long standing collaboration with SOLVE through past renovation projects, crib sheet collections, and presentations about the organization's charitable work at JLMC general meetings. JLMC decided to contribute to SOLVE again by donating ten car seat/stroller systems, six pack and plays, and four cribs fully furnished with mattresses, crib sets, and sheets, a donation valued at $4,000. SOLVE's Executive Director, Donna Vellenga, exclaims, "This month we celebrate Thanksgiving, and God knows we have so much to be thankful for; especially after JLMC pulled up to the SOLVE homes on a rainy Saturday morning with a truck load of baby items!  A houseful of pregnant women speechless! Can you imagine?  We are so blessed!  Thank you Junior League!".