Non-Profit Spotlight: Junior League Greater Winter Haven

Non-profit Spotlight: Junior League Greater Winter Haven

The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven, Inc. (JLGWH) reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to voluntarism. No woman shall be excluded from membership because of race, religion, national origin, or disability.

All woman over the age of 21 that have an expressed interest in voluntarism, a commitment to community service, and an interest in developing her potential for voluntary community participation is welcomed to be a prospective member.

The three main focuses this year are health, education and child hunger.

The three fundraisers are Light Up The Night 5K and Community Celebration, 6th Annual Merry Market and the JLGWH Splash of Citrus Cookbook.

Merry Market is November 15 and 16 at Nora Mayo Hall, located at 500 3rd St NW in Downtown Winter Haven. This two-day event offers the best in holiday shopping while raising funds to support the Junior League’s mission of enriching the lives of women, children and families.

The Merry Market is a true upscale holiday shopping extravaganza. Merry Market will feature over 40 merchants from across the country and offers an array of unique holiday and home décor, food, clothing, toys, jewelry and much more.

Tickets to shop November 15 from noon to 5 p.m. and November 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be available for purchase online or through a Junior League member. Tickets to shop during the day on Friday and Saturday will be sold for $5 in advance and at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Girls Night Out is Friday night (November 15) of Merry Market will be the release party of Splash of Citrus. Advance tickets are $35.

There are two opportunities for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning. Tickets are $5 for either 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. breakfast.

Light Up The Night 5K and Community Celebration will be February 21, 2014. This 5K takes places throughout downtown Winter Haven and is followed by a Food Truck rally and live music. Glow sticks are highly encouraged.

Projects include:

— Manners Matters: Mentorship program with local high school woman.

— Kids in the Kitchen: Teaches nutrition and basic cooking skills to elementary age students.

— Junior League Mobile Bus: A bus full of everyday necessities and food to distribute to those in need within Greater Winter Haven.

— Teacher Mini-Grants: Grant money awarded to teachers to assist with projects within their classroom.

Manners Matters, Kids in the Kitchen and the bus are all in their first year.

For more info about joining or supporting visit JLGWH.org.