By Kendal Norris | Rya of RYAPHOTOS
Junior League has a long and distinguished record of service as a non-profit organization fostering and promoting social, economic and educational volunteer services and training. It is active in nearly 300 communities throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The Junior League of Gainesville is involved in a number of projects including Kids in the Kitchen, Read with Me, The Children’s Home Society Family Visitation Center and Miracle on Main Street. Its local annual fundraising event is the extremely popular Tour of Kitchens. Members of the League in Gainesville represent a broad spectrum of women of all ages who are professionals and homemakers. What they have in common is their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others within their own community.
Lindsey Johnson has been a member of Junior League in Macon, Georgia, Fairfax, Virginia and now in her hometown of Gainesville, since moving back in 2009. A wife, mother, graduate student and business woman, Lindsey has a lot on her plate, but still has found time to chair the 2011 Miracle on Main Street, Junior League’s annual Christmas event. It speaks to the old adage of “If you want something done, give it to the busy person.”
Year-long, community-wide assistance with toy drives and sponsorship from many local businesses allowed Miracle on Main Street to provide over 500 area families (approximately 1200 children) with toys, books, sports equipment and bikes during the holiday season. Lindsey Johnson commented, “Our December 3rd event took nearly a year of planning and an intensive six-to-eight months of organizing to be the success that it was. With 23% of Alachua County citizens living below the poverty level, there was a big demand.” This year, Miracle on Main Street was able to serve an additional 150 families, all due to the generosity and support of Gainesville-area residents and businesses.
Miracle on Main Street took place at Friends of the Library warehouse of the Junior League’s headquarters at 430 N. Main Street, where the Junior League Thrift Shop (operating since 1935) is also located. Junior League “Miracle” Committee members issued invitations to about four dozen area non-profit agencies that, in turn, distributed them to individual families. On December 3rd, each family was assigned the help of a personal shopper and could select one “big ticket” item (that might include a bike, scooter or electronic gadget) and a handful of other items such as toys, books and games.
Lindsey noted, “Some families actually camped out all night to be able to get a good place in line when we opened, so we provided a nutritious breakfast for everyone and had games and booths set up to keep the children engaged while their parents shopped inside. We were only able to do this through the generous donations from local bagel and smoothie shops and other businesses that contributed granola bars, oatmeal packets and coffee.”
Gainesville area volunteers – including a number of Wal-Mart employees – manned the face painting, Kids in the Kitchen and Read with Me booths. The League volunteers were assisted by 65 University of Florida student athletes and coaches who, in addition to helping as personal shoppers and wrapping presents, entertained children with exercise activities. UF mascots, Albert and Alberta, were also there and each family was given a photograph of themselves taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Lindsey said, “It was a great way to kick off the season of giving and to spread some general holiday cheer, and hopefully to put smiles on the faces of children in need.”
Upcoming is Junior League’s extremely popular annual fundraising event, “Tour of Kitchens,” on March 10th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. A self-guided tour of Gainesville’s loveliest gourmet kitchens includes delicious samplings and innovative demonstrations, with visits to homes in Historic Duck Pond, Town of Tioga and Haile Plantation.
“The Tour of Kitchens is truly a wonderful Gainesville community treasure,” said Garrett Bell, a past President and now a sustainer of Junior League. “The experience of touring beautiful homes and kitchens might even spark a little interest in doing some remodeling of your own.”
This year’s tour also includes local prime steakhouse, Embers Wood Grill, as they will be giving tour-goers a first-hand look at the inner workings of a commercial kitchen. Interactive demonstrations include food preparation methods and menu planning with Executive Chef Briton Dumas, as well as wine classes with Sommelier, Ryan Todd.
“Events like the Tour of Kitchens are fun to attend and are a great way to raise money for the community,” said Pam Green, also a past President and now sustainer. “It’s really a win-win for everyone!
A number of Gainesville restaurants and catering businesses are contributing their time and products toward making this day a great success. Funds generated support programs and partnerships with community agencies serving the needs of local women and children. Over the past few years, the amount raised has exceeded $25,000.
To purchase tickets to the 2012 Tour of Kitchens or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.gainesvillejrleague.org.
How To Join:
Women interested in joining Junior League of Gainesville should contact the Junior League office at 352-376-8305 or office@gainesvillejrleague.org. Applications for the new member class are due by May 31, 2012.
