As the 2010 – 2011 President of the Junior League of the Emerald Coast, it is my pleasure, along with our Board of Directors, to welcome you to our website. We hope you enjoy your visit and find our website informative and easy to use.
Whenever any of us face difficult economic times, it makes sense to reconsider the concept of value. Usually value is determined by monetary worth, but sometimes there is value that cannot be measured by a dollar sign. The amount of volunteer hours that our organization has put into this community is of great value. As our community faces a battle with hard economic times, I hope we all band together and offer more than we ever have. The Junior League of the Emerald Coast is here to support the community where we can!
This year we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of our signature community project, the Child Clothing Project. Our volunteer work will enable us to clothe approximately 320 elementary school children in brand new clothing. Providing our communities' poorest children with new clothing, shoes that fit, and warm winter coats helps to improve the children's self esteem. The children are more likely to participate in the classroom and able to stay focused. We are excited to celebrate the anniversary of this project and look forward to many more years of continued success.
Our Done in a Day committee will provide opportunities for our volunteers to participate in a variety of different hands-on volunteer programs in our community. We often partner with other agencies in these efforts so that we may make the greatest impact on our community. Our previous partnerships have included working with the Department of Children and Families, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Mattie Kelly Arts foundation.
We are exciting about our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club in our work to expand our Kids in the Kitchen project. Kids in the Kitchen will offer lessons to children and parents on proper nutrition. JLEC, along with AJLI, are committed to educating people about nutrition in an effort to end childhood obesity.
The impact and contributions we make to our community are made possible through our fundraising efforts and our sponsors in the local community. We realize that continuing our mission is dependent upon community support. Our fundraising efforts this year will include the Best of the Emerald Coast event in October at Destin Commons, a gift wrap sale through November, sales of our community cookbook Beach Appetit available year round, our fifth annual charity Casino Night, and our third annual Mistletoe Market. Please check our home page for more information on these fundraisers.
We also welcome donations and sponsorships. We offer a variety of advertising and recognition for our sponsors. For more information on how to become a sponsor or to make a donation to the JLEC, click here.
If making a difference in our community through volunteering, while developing friendships and learning new skills is something that interests you, please review our Membership section for more information on how to join the Junior League of the Emerald Coast.
Please do not hesitate to call the Junior League office at 862-2665 for further information.
Thank you, in advance, for your interest in the Junior League of the Emerald Coast and our many wonderful activities!
Tama Curlee
JLEC President, 2010-2011
