Welcoming members and sponsors to the John’s Island Community Service League Opening Luncheon of the 2025-26 season, board president Michelle Julian told them, “You’re the reason we can accomplish what we do. Your time, generosity and commitment keep this organization thriving.”
Reviewing those remarkable accomplishments, she said that last year, the JICSL distributed $2,125,750 million in grants and scholarships, a 26 percent increase from the prior year. Grants were given to 37 local agencies supporting 47 programs. Funding is derived primarily through donations, events, dues and the Tambourine Shop.
“Since our founding, the league has distributed more than $22.4 million in grants and scholarships. That’s an incredible record of generosity and commitment to the community,” said Julian.
Providing committee updates, Pat Layton, membership chair, encouraged members to promote the nonprofit to other John’s Island residents; and Caroline Vandeventer and Teresa Winslow, “Team Sponsorship,” presented a humorous story of gratitude about the corporate sponsors that fund their events, beginning and ending with legacy sponsor John’s Island Real Estate Company.
Diane Hanover, co-chair with Ellen Kendall of Strategic Grants, spoke of their ability to respond to immediate community needs, such as the recent emergency grant given to United Against Poverty to support the SNAP Benefits Subsidy Program initiated when benefits were suspended; and Susanna Connaughton, chair of the JICSL Scholarship program, which provides scholarships to John’s Island employees and their dependents, said they provided funding to 17 scholars last year.
Nancy Follett, events co-chair with Delia Willsey, spoke about another ambitious event year that kicks off with a red-carpet screening of Saturday Night Fever at the Jan. 9 Film Festival and is highlighted by the Saturday Night Fever Spring Gala on March 12.
Guest speaker Jennifer Reed Hawthorne, a Vero Beach resident, was introduced by Connaughton as someone who “knows the joy of engaging with people and projects that inspire us and energize us with their power of connection.”
Hawthorne is the award-winning author and co-author of nine books, including the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul” and “Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul.”
“Honestly, I am so deeply moved by the work that the John’s Island Community Service League is doing in our community,” said Hawthorne.
“You all know that we’re talking about ‘Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul’ today. I feel like every single person in this room is a ‘Chicken Soup to the Soul’ story; the way you live, the way you give, the way you make life better for so many people.”
Hawthorne proceeded to share “the miracle of how ‘Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul’ was birthed,” along with several other delightful and especially touching stories from her book.
Among them was an example of what she said became a signature piece called “Just in Time.” It was in the late 1960s, when an older Black woman’s car broke down on an Alabama highway, at night, in the pouring rain. Although unheard of in those days, her rescuer was a young white man who drove her to where she could safely get into a cab. A week later, a giant color TV and stereo system was delivered to his home with a note thanking him for assisting her that read:
“The rain drenched not only my clothes, but my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others. Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.”
Hawthorne said that while the JICSL women may not be stopping on the side of the road to assist people in the rain, what they have done for the community is remarkable.
“You see situations that are fraught with obstacles and you find ways to overcome those obstacles. You find places where your donations and your time can literally transform people’s lives,” said Hawthorne.
“Everyone in here knows abundance, and you don’t keep it to yourselves. You know the joy of giving, and you know that when you give, it comes back to you so many times over.”
For more information, visit JICSL.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
