|
|
|
|
|
JLT Receives Heart of Gold Award
|
|
|
Big Bend Homeless Coalition (BBHC) named the Junior League of Tallahassee as their Heart of Gold recipient for our continued commitment to the organization and alleviating homelessness in Tallahassee. Holly Bernardo, Executive Director of BBHC, presented the award at the National Philanthropy Day celebration. National Philanthropy Day is a day celebrated throughout North America to recognize the impact philanthropy has on our society, societal change, and the change that is yet to come.
JLT began a partnership with the Big Bend Homeless Coalition in 2017 with a successful coat and blanket drive and renovation of HOPE Community’s intake room. The partnership continues today with fun family programming, renovation projects, outdoor clean-ups, and holiday events. JLT has contributed over 2,600 hours to projects at BBHC. Learn more about the partnership here.
|
|
|
Thank you to everyone who supported our sixth annual Little Black Dress Initiative! Whether by donating, sharing content, wearing a pin/black outfit, etc. -- YOU made a difference in our community. Together we raised over $53,000 to support JLT community programming and projects in Tallahassee, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Many thanks to RedEye Coffee for helping us kick off LBDI with an early morning coffee gathering and to OverUnder Bar + Lounge for hosting a soiree to celebrate the conclusion of the campaign. At the finale party, our LBDI celebrity guest bartenders Caitlin Yancey Moore, Corie Stegall, and Nicole Okken jumped behind the bar with all tips benefitting JLT.
|
|
|
Gobble gobble! Before the Thanksgiving holiday, JLT volunteers distributed frozen turkeys and holiday food with Second Harvest of the Big Bend. Through their event partnership with ABC 27, Second Harvest raised enough money and collected enough turkeys to feed 1,000 families this Thanksgiving. JLT is proud to be able to partner with local nonprofits and community partners to better serve our community. Read more about the event and see our volunteers in action here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
As part of our winter Kids’ Boutique, JLT volunteers shopped for winter clothing, coats, and shoes for 39 children at Big Bend Homeless Coalition’s HOPE Community. Each child created a personalized wish list of needed items that our JLT volunteers fulfilled during the shopping event. Volunteers then hosted a special holiday distribution at HOPE Community to deliver all the new clothes. Many thanks to our friends at Kohls for their assistance with this event!
Kids’ Boutique is a back-to-school shopping experience that takes place in August. JLT works directly with guidance counselors at local elementary schools to identify children in need of essential clothes, shoes, and school supplies. At the 2021 event, JLT provided back-to-school clothing, shoes, and supplies to 171 children. We are already gearing up for 2022; learn how you can be a part of this signature project here.
|
|
|
That's a Wrap, Santa is on his way
|
|
|
JLT volunteers are preparing for the holidays by wrapping gifts for the youth at Capital City Youth Services (CCYS) and the children at Aveanna. JLT purchases gifts based on needs and a personalized wish list for each child. This December JLT will host holiday parties to distribute the gifts to their recipients.
The Aveanna partnership operates through JLT’s Done in a Day (DIAD) program. If you have a short-term volunteer need that ties in with the JLT’s mission, you can learn more and fill out an application on our website.
JLT has partnered with CCYS since 2020. CCYS works with homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth to alleviate issues and strengthen families. Visit CCYS.org to learn more.
|
|
|
Sparkle Tallahassee
On Monday, December 13th from 5:30-7:30 PM, join JLT at Sparkle Tallahassee for a Shop & Event event. Sparkle Tallahassee is graciously donating 15% of your purchase. Remember to mention "JLT" at check out!
Minted
This holiday season, use the code FUNDRAISEJLTALLAHASSEE to order holiday and new year cards from Minted (You save 20%, Minted donates 15%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Making the Season Merry & Bright
|
|
|
JLT kicked off the holiday season at Big Bend Homeless Coalition’s HOPE Community with a fun holiday craft night. JLT volunteers helped the children make holiday ornaments to decorate the festive Christmas trees at the shelter.
HOPE Community provides emergency shelter and support services for homeless families with children. For children at the shelter, BBHC provides assessments for children up to age five, connects families with childcare services, and works with Leon County Schools to minimize disruption for students, providing transportation for them to attend their school consistently.
|
|
Our Teen Board is in full swing. At the November meeting, Leadership, Development, & Training Chair Brittany Bianco led training on crucial conversations, and Teen Board kicked off the mentorship program which pairs Teen Board members with JLT mentors according to shared interests. This month, Teen Board members volunteered at JLT’s winter Kids’ Boutique event, which provides new cold-weather appropriate clothing and shoes to the children at Big Bend Homeless Coalition’s HOPE Community.
Congratulations to Teen Board member Amaya Waymon for winning the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award at the 2021 National Philanthropy Day celebration hosted by the Big Bend Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Amaya is a student at Rickards High School where she started the Girl Flo Project, a grassroots initiative to provide feminine products to students who lack access. Learn more about how you can be a part of this project here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
