Junior Civic League Sustainers Enjoy Brunch

ORGANIZATION MARKS 60 YEARS

By Debbie Miller

Posted: November 22, 2009 at 3:17 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville Junior Civic League sustainers turned out in full force for a recent brunch at the home of Denise Garner.

During some brief remarks, Garner noted that the sustainers previously had met for quarterly meetings, but chose to try a diff erent approach with special gatherings in the fall and spring. The first such meeting - the Nov. 12 autumn brunch - drew more than 25 people, including a number of former organization presidents. Casseroles, assorted fruit and pastries graced the festive buff et.

A wine and cheese party will be planned for the spring, organizers said.

The league was founded in September of 1949. Its mission as stated on its Web site is “uniting the infl uence and service of women to promote the quality of life for others in our community.”

A couple of the founding members attended the brunch - Anne Vandergriff and Mary Carolyn Pendleton, who was the organization’s second president.

Current President Amy Driver gave those attending an update on activities of the service organization, including plans for a Christmas party, complete with crafts and cookie decorating, for the Elizabeth Richardson Center.

The organization’s signature fundraiser each year is The Big Party, scheduled for April of 2010. Proceeds go to local organizations in the form of grants. Charities receiving $52,000 in disbursements for 2008-09 included Arkansas Athletes Outreach, Children’s House, Children’s Safety Center, the Elizabeth Richardson Center, Fayetteville High School Scholarship, Fayetteville Public Schools Families in Transition, Fayetteville Public Schools Education Foundation, Life Styles, Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center, Peace at Home Family Shelter, Safety Net and Seven Hills Homeless Center.

Driver noted that the g roup’s members also collect specific items each month to address particular needs, such as backpacks forschoolchildren or diapers for nonprofit organizations that provide services for children. Each year, the members also organize the Glass Slipper Project in which prom dresses and accessories are collected and provided to teen girls in advance of the high school prom.

Driver also told the brunch crowd that the members just completed a project to redecorate the lobby of the Children’s Safety Center in Springdale to make it an inviting area for children the nonprofit serves. A jungle theme was chosen.

Life, Pages 15 on 11/22/2009

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