Most cities across America have a chapter of The Association of Junior Leagues International, but none have a group quite like our Junior League of Raleigh (JLR). JLR boasts a unique, rich history that dates back to 90 years full of donating time, money + energy back into the Raleigh community. To celebrate this benchmark, here’s a look back at the Junior League’s impact in Raleigh over the years.
Back in the 1920’s, before officially becoming the Junior League Raleigh, the Junior Guild began with 53 young women who were determined to make an impact in the Raleigh community. They focused their efforts on volunteering and promoting fellowship among Raleighites, so much so that they were officially invited to join The Association of Junior Leagues International in 1930.
With their transformation from the Junior Guild to the JLR, the organization started off their first year strong with 87 members, 6,663 total hours of community service + $2,744 raised for the community...that’s $42,262.20 today. As JLR continued throughout the years they launched many different campaigns — from health clinics for babies to hosting the Inaugural Ball for Raleigh’s governor. They also raised $1 million through their Junior League thrift store Bargain Box, which operated from 1951-2019.
After 90 years of giving back to the Raleigh community, JLR has grown to 1,500 members strong who spend about 23,000 hours volunteering annually.
Looking forward, the organization is excited to begin their newest campaigns, A Note in the Pocket, which focuses on gathering clothing for children in need and leaving an encouraging note in the clothing pocket + The Green Chair Project, which focuses on giving families in need essential items that make a home feel like their own. If you’re interested in joining this organization or want to learn more, you can check out their website and get an insider’s perspective on how the organization has impacted Raleigh over the last 90 years.
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