Health & Fitness
Junior League of Montclair-Newark Volunteers More Than 600 Hours to Community
Nonprofit organization is currently seeking new members for 2014-2015 class.
Volunteers from The Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. (JLMN) completed more than 600 hours of community service in Montclair, Newark, Bloomfield and neighboring towns during its 2013-2014 league year.
“The JLMN is a supportive, amazing organization of women with a central mission to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and improve the community through trained volunteers,” says Sandra Funk Levy, 2013-2014 president, JLMN. “Our organization has positively impacted our communities in a number of ways this year.”
In September of 2013, the League kicked off the year with the Annual Run for Children at Risk. Proceeds from the fundraiser helped support the JLMN’s programs to help children in Montclair, Newark and surrounding communities. This year, the JLMN will hold its 5K on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Lacordaire Academy.
In March, the JLMN promoted “Read Across America,” the annual reading motivation and awareness program on the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. “Our volunteers read to 314 children in our communities and we donated a total of 934 books,” says Levy.
In April, the JLMN’s Fostering Hope project produced 50 newborn kits which helped local parents in need. Each kit contained 25 diapers, hat, book, onesie, stuffed animal and a receiving blanket. These are just some of the projects completed this year.
As a non-profit organization, the JLMN strives to provide for the ongoing needs of the community. Projects include:
- Done in a Day: A multi-faceted project devoted to enhancing the community though a variety of done in a day, hands on opportunities. Done in a Day reaches out to approximately 1,300 children and 700 adults each year.
- Fostering Hope: Partnership with the Essex Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to work with children in New Jersey's foster care system. JLMN volunteers impact more than 550 children through Fostering Hope each year.
Specifically, SPAC advocates for initiatives and legislation to improve the quality of life for women and children; improve the quality of education; and improve the environment.
Charlene Davis-Williams, incoming president for the 2014-2015 league year says, “We are currently seeking new members who really want to make a difference in our communities, whether that’s by reading to young people, prepping meals at the United Way or helping us organize our annual Run 4 Children at Risk in September.”
Interested women can visit the JLMN website for an application or call the office at 973-746-2499 for more information.
As she wraps up the 2013-2014 League year, Levy explains why she is still so passionate about the League. “Our volunteers join us to capture that feel good, collaborative unity that comes from working with others toward a common good,” Levy adds. “We celebrate women, we give what we can, and we lift one another up.”
The JLMN was founded in 1921 and currently boasts 324 members. For more information, please visit www.jlmn.org or like us on Facebook.
About The Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc.
The JLMN is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. JLMN members direct their volunteer efforts to children at risk in our communities. Through hands-on volunteer activities, as well as collaborative efforts with other
organizations, and our tradition of community advocacy, the JLMN provides a supportive environment for training tomorrow's community leaders while enabling our members to forge lasting friendships. To learn more about joining the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. visit our website at www.jlmn.org, email us at mail@jlmn.org, or call us at 973-746-2499.
