Junior League of Columbia Celebrates Community Impact and Kicks Off 90th Anniversary Year With New Look

COLUMBIA, SC – May 8, 2014 –  Last week the Junior League of Columbia (JLC) celebrated the end of a successful year and presented awards to deserving members and community partners for outstanding service and leadership. In addition, the League unveiled a new brand identity for the organization as it marks its 90^th anniversary impacting the Midlands.

During 2013-2014, JLC members logged approximately 47,469 volunteer hours and raised $255,000 from its signature fundraisers; $32,150 through its fund development; and $4,460 for its Annual Fund, all of which support JLC’s community projects, training and support services. Working with 19 community partners, such as Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter, Therapy Place, Epworth Children’s Home and others, JLC organized events and programming to improve the health of local children, a major focus area for the organization. In addition to hosting successful signature fundraising events, JLC served more than 300 children at the third annual JLC Healthy Kids Fair where they received free vision, dental and BMI screenings.

In January, JLC announced recipients of its first-ever Community Enrichment Grant program and awarded $160,000 in one-time enrichment grants to local nonprofits supporting the JLC mission. Recipients included Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands, St. Lawrence Place, Canoeing for Kids, Healthy Learners, My First Books and Sistercare. In honor of JLC’s 90th anniversary, the League also decided to make a substantial investment in the Autism Academy of South Carolina by issuing two $45,000 grants totaling $90,000 that will go towards renovating a dilapidated gymnasium that will house activities for children with autism and will be available to other children in the Midlands, nonprofits and community groups for activities and projects focused on healthy children. JLC will release applications for a second round of Community Enrichment Grants beginning May 15. Please visit www.jlcolumbia.org for more details.

This celebration also marked the kick-off of JLC’s 90^th anniversary, and to honor this, JLC underwent a brand refresh complete with a new logo and brand campaign. Working with the American Advertising Federation of the Midlands as its public service partner, a new logo as well as a billboard and television campaign were developed and will launch in May. For their outstanding contribution to JLC, the Advertising Federation was honored with this year’s Friend of the League award.

In addition, the following JLC members were recognized for their leadership and service during this League year:

• Sustainer Lifetime Achievement Award (recognizes one Sustaining member who exemplifies the purpose of the JLC – that of voluntarism – who has translated her volunteer training into outstanding community commitment and involvement and who continues to demonstrate an interest in the JLC): Susan Milliken Umbach for her years of service to JLC and the community.

• President’s Award (recognizes an Active member in good standing who continues the tradition and vision of making the JLC a better organization through outstanding “in-League” service to the JLC): Angie Easterlin for her work supporting JLC’s Annual Fund and corporate sponsorships.

• Katharine Heath Manning Perry Award (recognizes an Active member in good standing who has excelled in community voluntarism and activism, through her JLC placements and through extensions of her JLC work and training): Emily Brady for leading JLC’s rebranding and communication efforts and her other leadership roles within the community.

• Nancy Mayer Dunbar Award (recognizes an Active member in good standing who has exemplified successful leadership qualities): Nan Krieg for her leadership chairing JLC’s signature Clean Sweep fundraiser while also managing the JLC website.
  • Kinsey Black Jones Memorial Award (recognizes an outstanding recent Active member(s) who has advanced the volunteer ideals of the JLC by epitomizing superlative service in her placement): Lori Ehlers and Kim Schneider for reinvigorating JLC’s Junior Volunteers program.

• Transfer of the Year (recognizes an Active member(s) who has transferred her membership to the JLC within the past three years and who has exemplified successful leadership qualities and demonstrated commitment to the JLC):  Elizabeth Crouch for her quick engagement and organizing the first-ever JLC book club.

• Provisional of the Year (recognizes a Provisional member who has exemplified successful leadership qualities and demonstrated commitment to the JLC): Christy Snow for her initiative and dedication to her Provisional class.

“As we begin our 90^th anniversary, we reflect upon our rich legacy of voluntarism and service to the community and celebrate our continued impact today,” said Junior League of Columbia president Carla Moore. “We are able to fulfill our mission thanks to the tireless work of our trained volunteers via our fundraising efforts and through the generosity of the community. The JLC has benefitted from steadfast leadership and good stewardship of our resources, and we are delighted to make these investments in our community.”

About the Junior League of Columbia

The Junior League of Columbia, Inc. is an organization of women committed to the promotion of volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Together, the members of Junior League of Columbia, Inc. seek to strengthen the health and well-being of children and families in the Midlands.  For more information, visit jlcolumbia.org.