League encourages community involvement

Submitted by the Junior League of Greater Springfield



On Sept. 26, the Junior League of Greater Springfield held their first monthly General Membership Meeting at the Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow to kick-off the 2006-2007 Community Project year.

The League was honored to have Joel F. Weiss, President & CEO United Way of Pioneer Valley, as guest speaker.

The United Way of Pioneer Valley supports 128 programs in Hampden County, Granby and South Hadley.

"We connect community resources to community needs. We develop and support effective programs that directly improve the lives of the people in Hampden County, South Hadley and Granby. Our commitment is grounded in our core values of leadership, integrity, collaboration and innovation," Weiss said. "The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that develops, creates, supports and carries out services. We improve the lives of the people we serve."

The United Way has kicked off the 2006 Annual Campaign. Weiss noted that in 2005, the United Way raised $6.5 million for community programming and seek to surpass this amount during the 2006 Campaign.

A recent United Way of Pioneer Valley Community Needs Assessment found that Springfield and Holyoke organizations have the greatest needs.

The United Way can not do their work alone. The Junior League of Greater Springfield is in partnership with the United Way to support our common goal of improving communities in Greater Springfield.

During the 2006-2007 year, the Junior League of Greater Springfield, MA, Inc. will support a range of community projects including: the Cancer House of Hope Springfield House, that helps people with cancer and those who care about them through free-of charge support groups, relaxation programs and information; the JLGS Financial Literacy program, that helps students at Springfield schools and the Youth Build program at the YWCA plan for a secure future; Clothing for a Cause, that provides clothes to families in need.

Past projects supported by the Junior League include R.E.A.C.H (Re-establish Educational Access for Children who are Homeless), the Springfield Ronald MacDonald House, Springfield Day Nursery, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Prospect House Shelter.

Founded in 1914, the Junior League of Greater Springfield, Inc., is committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

The organization is comprised of women who are interested in making a difference in their community.

For more information, call the League's office at 781-2545 or visit ww.jlgs.org.