Junior League of The Woodlands gives $80,000 to local organizations

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Junior League of The Woodlands, Inc., (JLTW) recently hosted its May Annual Dinner at The Woodlands Country Club – Palmer Course to recap the 2015-2016 League year, recognize JLTW members for their contributions, and present selected community partners with donations through Community Assistance Funds, Emergency Relief Funds, and the annual Community Gift.

Nearly $80,000 in donations was distributed to non-profit and other community organizations which included All Ears Listening & Language, Bridging For Tomorrow, Buckner Aldine Family Hope, Home Place of Texas, JoyRide Center, Montgomery County Food Bank, National Assistance League, Northwest Assistance Ministries, and the South County Community Clinic.

JLTW expressed thanks for its many supporters and the relationships forged with community partners, without which JLTW would not be able to fulfill its mission. Equally important to fulfilling the mission are the over 500 League members who volunteer their time and skills, where over 3,000 volunteer hours this year were served through JLTW community programs alone. Additional highlights for the year included:

• $221,400 donated back to the community
• 4,736 backpacks with 9,000 snacks delivered to schools through the H.A.P.P.Y. program
• 1,315 educators attended IMPACT
• Over 400 books donated through Literacy Carnivals
• Nearly 400 children learned healthy eating habits from Kids in the Kitchen

The League also welcomed 72 Provisionals as newly active members after successful completion of their first year. The Provisional Class Project, in conjunction with The Giving Gown Foundation, was the most successful joint event the groups have seen yet. The Provisionals collected over 26,000 items (which made 1,500 swag bags), over 1,100 dresses and 1,900 accessories/shoes. In three days they volunteered almost 900 hours and served as fairy godmothers to over 1,100 teenage girls.

In addition to recognizing the League’s contributions for the year, three League members were recognized for their individual contributions to the League, as they went above and beyond to serve throughout the year. Congratulated were Julie Sanchez (Active of the Year), Audra Hoegemeyer (Sustainer of the Year), and Megan Hershfeld (Inaugural Provisional of the Year) in admiration of their positive attitudes, energy, and giving spirit.

“This year’s theme ‘Give Freely and Follow the Journey,’ based on the Ancient Egyptians’ belief that a pure heart weighed as light as a feather, is exemplified by the purely giving hearts of our League members,” said 2015-2016 JLTW President, Ashley Boudreaux. “With a pure heart, it is evident that our members and our League can achieve anything, become anything, overcome anything and inspire everything. I am truly inspired and honored to have served this year as President and become a part of the great legacy our League has established over the past 25 years.”

JLTW recognized and thanked the following outgoing Board of Directors for their time and efforts during the 2015-2016 League Year:

Ashley Boudreaux, President

Bobbi Jo Miller, President-Elect

Audra Hoegemeyer, Sustaining Advisor to the Board

Sarah Paul, Communications VP

Mallory Yartym, Community VP

Christin Allphin, Finance VP

Ashley Bowersock, Membership VP

Laura Bomer, Administrative Secretary and Training Chair

Angela Strong, Treasurer/Finance Chair

Corey Spencer, Membership Council Assistant

Julie Sanchez, Community Committee Chair

Dina Hafley Placement Chair

Kelly Reed-Hirsch, Nominating Chair

Alison Judge, Community Gift and CR/PD Co-Chair

Jennifer Colerick, Strategic Planning Chair

Kimberly Willing, CR/PD Co-Chair

Carolyn Price, Advisory Planning/Bylaws Chair

View the JLTW 2015-2016 Year in Review on YouTube at https://youtu.be/_XDG1RVDMF0

For more information about JLTW, Inc., visit www.jltw.org or call 281-376-5754. Follow on social media through Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JLTW or Twitter at www.Twitter.com/JLTW.