I attended a fundraising training session hosted by The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills in October of 2012. As a fundraising professional, I found the session to be both enlightening and entertaining. How generous of JLOSH to provide this seminar for other area nonprofits. I commend this organization for its hospitality and philanthropy.
Junior League of the Oranges & Short Hills is a group of dedicated hard working ladies that are improving the communities that they serve. Congratulations on their 100th year celebration.
Last November I participated in the Thanksgiving Basket community outreach program, at the Salvation Army, in East Orange. I brought my 13-year-old son with me to expose him to the volunteer wrok a do on a regular basis. This expirience was life changing for him and for me. To see him so happy helping others and participating as one of us touched my heart. He worked hard all morning helping us move frozen turkyes and stuffing bags with food. He had a smile on his face all the time! when our shift was over, he wanted to stay and help some more. He greeted everyone who came to pick up a bag. It was an incredible moment to see my son realize that it doesn't take much to help others and that no matter how old you are, you can make a difference in someone's life. Thanks to the Junior League, we will be doing it again soon!
This is my 4th year in this organization of great women. Last year I was involved in the committee who helped pave the way for our future community service work. It was so rewarding to see some of our pilot ideas come to life thanks to the hardworking women in this organization. They started as ideas written on paper but with a little blood, sweat and tears and a LOT of passion, our women made a big impact in Essex County in NJ. We created a Nurse's Pantry at Forest Street School in Orange, NJ, renovated and stocked a Book Pantry at the Cleveland School in Orange, NJ and we started a new BackPack Bonus Bag Program in a partnership with the Community Food Bank of NJ. The Bonus Bags provided students in Orange and East Orange with wellnessentials such as dental supplies, winter necessities, toiletries, etc. We also helped assemble weekend meal bags for children on the National Breakfast and Lunch Programs who need help getting nourishment through the weekend when school meals aren't available. We accomplished so much in just one year!! From basic needs to food insecurities to health and wellness help, we are continually trying to provide programs to improve the lives of school children in need who live just a few miles away!
I have been a member of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills for 8 years. I have a great sense of pride in the work we have done in our community and a tremendous amount of respect for the women I have met and have had the opportunity to work with in a variety areas. My most memorable experience was being a part of a number of activities with a special group of young women trying to navigate and survive the foster care system. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with them and the impact they continue to have on my life.
I worked on a project at a local school where we took a run down room and transformed it into a beautiful book pantry. Our goal was to give free books to these students to encourage them to read more and build their own personal libraries with hopes to increase literacy. Six months later we got the results and their scores had increased. This was such a positive experience and so rewarding to see the results too.
I joined the Junior League in 2002 and tranferred to the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills in 2008. It has been a meaningful part of my life while helping make an impact in the community. I have met other talented, inpiring women also committed to volunteerism who motivate me to continue giving my time and talents. I have learned many new skills and sometimes have reached out of my comfort zone, which has been a challenge I enjoyed. The fruits of my labor are worthwhile when I see the smile of a child whose life was made batter or brighter - giving them a book to take home and call their own, or a holiday gift, which might be their only one. When my own kids see me volunteering and ask when they can too, it make me proud to be setting an example for the next generation as well.
I have been a member of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills (JLOSH) since 2010 and a part of the League since 2005. This year JLOSH celebrates its Centennial this year - 100 years of service to our service area! Junior League supports the lives of women and children by providing hands-on volunteering opportunities (over 7,000 hours per year) and volunteer training. It gives grants to local non-profits and published "The Littlest Volunteers", a book that teaches children about the importance of volunteering. Check it out at www.jlosh.org.
I’m proud to have been a member of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills since 2004. For 100 years, this unique nonprofit organization has not only been improving the lives of local women and children, it has also been training its volunteer members to be community and civic leaders.
The Junior League creates lasting impact in a variety of ways. Its members engage in hands-on community improvement activities, provide grants and scholarships to other nonprofits, sponsor educational and networking opportunities for their members and the general public, and advocate for legislation and policies that benefit women and children.
As a member of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, I’ve used my existing skills to serve others, and have also developed many new and invaluable skills. I’ve had the opportunity to manage volunteers, network with leaders from area nonprofits, serve on the board of directors, and become an effective advocate.
Whether you want to learn how to run an efficient and engaging meeting, manage a fundraising campaign, improve your communications skills, or more, the Junior League provides women with many avenues to work with like-minded, talented volunteers to make a difference in our communities.