The Junior League of Anderson County has a long history of assisting the needs of women and children in the community.
Despite a year of shutdowns and slowdowns, the 86-year-old organization still was able to raise more than $10,000 for local charities and give away 83 car and booster seats to Anderson County families in need through its Seats for Safety program. And that’s just the beginning of the accomplishments.
“We’re under the (international) Junior League’s Small Leagues, Big Impact umbrella, and everything we do impacts where we live,” said Lauren James, who just completed her year as JLAC president. While James admits it was a tough year to be in leadership, she points to some creative ways the 75-member organization found during the pandemic to maintain its mission and effectiveness.
For example, its signature event, Trucks on Main (formerly Touch A Truck), made its debut on Main Street with a socially distanced event after being held several years at the Balloon Launch site near the Anderson Civic Center. Partnering with the City of Anderson, the league presented a walking/driving tour of fire trucks, law enforcement vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery and more positioned throughout downtown Anderson. It also got Main Street merchants involved, producing an accompanying activity book that promoted the event and downtown businesses.
“If we did nothing else right this year, moving our signature event to Main Street makes up for it,” James said.
The Junior League also was able to continue its Kids in The Kitchen program during the pandemic by producing video lessons and holding classes online. The program which teaches children basic cooking skills and how to prepare meals for themselves reached 38 Anderson County children during the past year.
Additionally, the Junior League’s Little Black Dress Initiative raised $15,000 in 2021, exceeding its $5,000 goal. Created in 2014 by the Junior League of London, the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is a weeklong awareness and fundraising campaign during which advocates wear one black dress (or outfit) for five consecutive days to spark conversations and awareness about poverty and related issues.
Proceeds from The Junior League of Anderson County Little Black Dress Initiative were awarded to Family Promise of Anderson County, Joy Comes, Foothills Alliance and Anderson Pregnancy Care.
The Junior League of Anderson County by the numbers in 2020-21:
- 599 hours of community service performed by 75 members
- 150+ Period Packs for Calvary Children’s Home
- 83 car and booster seats given to families in need through Seats For Safety
- 400+ gifts donated and wrapped for New Foundations Home for Children
- $10,000 given to local charities in 2020
- $15,000 raised during Little Black Dress Week in 2021
- 38 children taught basic cooking skills through Kids in the Kitchen
For more information on The Junior League of Anderson County, go HERE or follow the organization on Facebook @JuniorLeagueofAndersonCounty.
