Welcome to the Junior League of the Emerald Coast website. As the 2012-2013 President of the Junior League of the Emerald Coast, I encourage you to review our website to see how our league is involved within our community through our membership. The Junior League of the Emerald Coast's (JLEC) focus is to improve our community, promote voluntarism and develop the potential of women.
As the new league year begins, the JLEC volunteers are committed to helping improve our community through a variety of projects. In October, we are proud to celebrate the 34th anniversary of our signature project, the Child Clothing Project. This event allows JLEC to provide new clothing to approximately 375 children who attend elementary schools in Okaloosa and Walton county. By providing this opportunity to our communities' children in need, JLEC is not only able to clothe them but help them overcome issues with self esteem and empower them to achieve their goals. A new pair of shoes in a box may not be a big deal to many people; but to those children it's a new beginning. In addition to a new pair of shoes, the children receive a new jacket, shirts, pants, socks and undergarments.
The Done in a Day committee has several opportunities for our volunteers to participate with our community non-profit partners. JLEC has partnered with the following agencies for the upcoming year. Children's Advocacy Center, the Boys and Girls Club, Shelter House, and Habitat for Humanity. These partnerships allow our volunteers to expand their training with different hands on programs.
In April and May, the Kids in the Kitchen program, an initiative of the Association of Junior Leagues International, involves our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club to educate children about nutrition and health. Through the program, JLEC teach the children, as well as their parents, how to end childhood obesity through healthy cooking, eating and snacking.
JLEC's impacts on our community with the above programs are made possible through our fundraising efforts and the contributions from our sponsors. In order to fulfull our mission of improving our community, we value the support from our community. This year many of our fundraising events have been changed to either new venues or calendar months. In October, we will again be the benefiting charity for the Best of the Emerald Coast event at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. In November, we will have our gift wrap sale with Innisbrook. Also in November, we will have our 1st Annual "Rock the Roads" 5K and Kid's Fun Run at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. In May, we will have a new season and location for our "Mistletoe Market." We will now host our "Spring Market" in Fort Walton Beach in a central location. Our current cookbook, Beach Appetit is available for sale throughout the year online at various area festivals or by contacting the JLEC office.
Please view our homepage for more details on these upcoming fundraisers and to see any new fundraising opportunities that come our way.
If you would like to make a donation or become a sponsor, please click here: Support JLEC. We appreciate your involvement and offer a variety of advertising options and recognitions for our sponsors. If you are interested in becoming a member or know of someone who would be interested, please review the Membership section for more information on how to join the Junioe League of the Emerald Coast. You can also contact the Junior League office at 850-862-2665 for any other information.
Thank you again for your interest in the Junior League of the Emerald Coast. I look forward to seeing you at our events throughout the year.
Rachel Bartek Morrison
President 2012-2013
