Junior League of Indian River members, and a few brave spouses, gathered last Friday evening at the Riomar Beach Club to celebrate 25 years of service to the community with a cocktail reception co-chaired by Jayne Huggins and Chelsea Miner.
JLIR members have been active from the start, efficiently working to fill unmet needs, primarily in areas having an impact on children and families. In addition to years of short-term community impact projects far too numerous to name, the organization’s extended ground-floor projects have included endeavors with long-lasting impact such as the Youth Volunteer Corps, Sneaker Exchange, Valued Visits, Project Child, and its current project, Whole Child Indian River.
“We encourage our members to seek out volunteer opportunities on their own, and they often share those with the membership,” said current League President Ann Bixel. “Already this year, League members have organized groups to participate in United Way’s Day of Caring by laying mulch at Dogs for Life, and manning the first water station at the Healthy Start Half Marathon. It’s so exciting to see our members take initiative. They are living our mission!”
Membership levels include Provisionals, who first complete a training period and a Community Impact Project; Active members, who participate in at least two projects annually; and Sustainers, who provide financial but not necessarily volunteer support.
“I’ve been a member in Flint, Michigan, so many years I can’t remember,” said seasonal resident Marilyn Truesdell, who also joined JLIR early on.
“It was never meant to be just a social group,” said Ginny Mitchell, Sustainer co-chair. “It used to be mothers who had time to volunteer, but a lot of the members now are working, so we stay flexible in order to accommodate the different members. We try to share and teach the skills that we have.”
“I think we have a lot more professional women looking to learn leadership skills,” said Nicky Maslin. “A lot of the new ones have never been on a committee or worked at a nonprofit before, and this gives them an opportunity to be involved with other women their age.”
Provisional member Amanda Bloomer said she appreciates the opportunity to learn from role models how best to get involved in the community. Shae Clark and Ashleigh Lovell agreed, and added that they have enjoyed meeting active professional women their own age.
The local League got its start in 1990 after a chance meeting between Deborah Chastain, who had been a member in New York City, and Shirley Anna Johnson, a member of the then closest League in South Brevard.
Chastain spoke briefly to the group about the early years, noting, “Every party was a fundraiser; every dollar counted. Our community has benefitted greatly because of all we’ve accomplished over the past 25 years.”
Upcoming fundraisers include an inaugural evening Shopping Soiree, Nov. 14 on Ocean Drive, with exclusive shopping discounts, chocolates and champagne. On April 27, the JLIR Women of the Year Event will once again honor women whose contributions have helped shape the community in the categories of Business/Professional, Civic/Non-Profit, Rising Star, and Volunteer, with one to be selected as overall Woman of the Year.
