January 13, 2016

On January 12, 2016, the Junior League of Anniston-Calhoun, Inc. welcomed 19 ladies from the New Member Class into Active Membership.

These ladies put forth great efforts in serving a need in our community with their class project. As part of the Junior League of Anniston Calhoun’s Adopt-A-School partnership with Weaver Elementary School, this year’s New Member class chose to focus on preparing children in need with clothing items for cold weather months. The Fill Closets for Fall campaign benefitted children in need at WES. Based on recommendations made by the school’s principal and counselor, parents were able to sign their child up to receive new or gently worn clothing items. These items included jackets, pants, long-sleeved tops, socks, hats, and other items.
 
The New Members held a donation drive during the month of October. Word of the drive spread through social media and television; the ladies appeared on Calhoun County’s Most Wanted to promote the clothing drive and to help raise awareness of JLAC. The support from around the community was overwhelming. Not only did several local businesses partner with them to give discounts when clothing items were brought in, but dozens allowed the group to display flyers in their storefronts.
 
On Tuesday, November 3, the New Member class invited the families to come and pick up their prefilled bags of clothing items. Because of the overwhelming amount of clothes donated, the children were able to “shop” for additional clothing items. As an added treat for the parents, the New Member class provided a Chick-fil-A dinner.
 
“Being able to offer these families a free meal was icing on the cake,” said New Member class president Jacki Lowry. “We often times take for granted running through a drive-thru to get a sandwich when we are hungry. For some of these children, Chick-fil-A was something they had only heard about before that night.”
 
In all, 43 children from 19 families went home with full bags of clothes to help them combat the winter ahead. Chick-fil-A of Oxford was gracious to donate 25 sandwiches towards the project. The New Members purchased an additional 70 sandwiches, 95 fruit cups, and one bottle of water per family member.

Congratulations to this wonderful group of ladies on joining the League's Active Membership!

New Active Members Includes:
Mindi Amberson, Diandra Baeza, Jackie Blackwell, Katy Burley, Lana Dilleshaw, Brooke Duhaime, Dana Jennings, Kendra Lackey, SamieJo Legg, Jacki-Lyn Lowry, Kanani Miller, Morgan Montiel, Jordan Pilkington, Jessica Reed (not pictured), Maria Rosales, Katie Tyler, Laura Wesson, and Michelle Yancey