THE JUNIOR WELFARE LEAGUE OF ROCK HILL SURPASSES $1 MILLION IN DONATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY
The Junior Welfare League of Rock Hill hosted its Spring Dinner on Thursday, May 20 at the Rock Hill Country Club where eight local organizations were awarded funds.
Current President, Nicki Nash, presented the Culture and Heritage Museum with the Junior Welfare League’s gift of $150,000 for the new Children’s Museum in downtown Rock Hill. The $150,000 was originally slated for the Future Museum on the Catawba River, which has been significantly delayed beyond the dates originally anticipated. In spite of the delay, the Junior Welfare League applauds the Culture and Heritage Museum for pressing forward with other projects, including construction of a new Children’s Museum, which will open later this year.
Kimberly McIntire, 2010 JeWeL Chair, made the presentation of $57,000 to three local agencies. All money was raised during the Junior Welfare League’s 7th Annual Spring Market, the JeWeL of the Carolinas, held this past March. Keystone Substance Abuse Services, a provider of prevention and treatment services in the fight against substance abuse and chemical dependency, received $19,000. Keystone Substance Abuse Services will use the funds to create a youth and family outdoor facility. Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine, an agency that understands and serves the health and wellness needs of the medically under served, low-income residents of York County, received $19,000. Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine will use the funds to assist in purchasing medicines for patients. Family Connections, an agency to strengthen families of children with specials needs through parent support, received $19,000. Family Connections will use the funds to bring a series of programs offering information and support to all members of special needs families. (See Photo: Melinda Reid, 2011 JeWeL Chair; Hollye Reid, Family Connections of South Carolina; Kimberly McIntire, 2010 JeWeL Chair; Janet Martini, Keystone Substance Abuse Services; Dr. Hartwell Hildebrand, Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine)
Money raised at Twice is Nice, a boutique of gently used clothing and household goods, operated by the Junior Welfare League, was awarded at the Spring Dinner as well. Jan Owens, the 2009-2010 Twice Is Nice Chair, presented the small grants. The Salvation Army received $5,000 to purchase new furnishings and appliances for the Transitional Housing Shelter. Safe Passage received $3,000 to purchase a storage building to store personal belongings of the residents. The York County Adult Day Care Services received $4,000 to convert a hall closet area to a restroom that will allow the dementia patents to stay within their facility area.
Melinda Reid, the 2011 JeWeL Chair announced Tender Heart Ministries as the recipient of funds raised during the 8th Annual JeWeL of the Carolinas Spring Market, to be held April 8-9, 2011. Tender Heart Ministries is an agency that helps people in need receive food, clothing, shelter, and access to local human service agencies, educational opportunities and compassion. The funds raised by the 8th Annual JeWeL of the Carolinas Spring Market will be used by Tender Heart Ministries to purchase a modular building for the homeless shelter for single women and women with children.
Lauren Powell, the 2010-2011 President introduced the new officers on the 2010-2011 Junior Welfare League’s Executive Board (see photo from left to right): Nicki Nash, Past President; Jennifer Ackerman, Corresponding Secretary; Lauren Powell, President; Melissa Faile, Director of Finance; Laurie Veale, Treasurer; Stephanie DiStasio, Vice President; Laura Lengers, Recording Secretary.
About the JWL:
Founded in 1938, the Junior Welfare League, Inc. is an organization of women committed to serving and improving the quality of life for people living in York County and surrounding areas. Members are dedicated to focusing on advocacy, health, education and awareness of issues for those in our community. The JWL annually contributes over $50,000 to community projects and thousands of volunteer hours to programs that strengthen our community.