Now into the new year, the Junior League of Raleigh is looking forward to all of the opportunities to help our community in 2020. We can’t help but reflect on the recent holiday season and all that went into making the holidays brighter for many in Wake County.

Our teams of trained volunteers worked with our community partners on holiday projects large and small. From shopping events allowing children in need to give gifts to loved ones to Angel Tree gifts, it was the most wonderful time of the year!

JLR volunteers prepare a shopping event for children at InterAct.

The children in these programs can select gifts either for themselves or loved ones by choosing from new and gently used donations. Parents can receive gifts and the children have a sense of generosity to go along with their holiday spirit.

The StepUp Ministry team sponsors Santa’s Workshop, where children not only get to select gifts for family, but they can decorate cookies and make ornaments and Christmas cards, too.

A child in StepUp Ministry’s program makes a card at the “Santa’s Workshop” event.

Junior League member Sarah Butler McKinney volunteers on Team Heritage Park and shared, “The holiday season is made brighter for me by volunteering at the Heritage Park Holiday Market. Watching the children’s faces light up as they thoughtfully select Christmas presents for family members and themselves is incredibly humbling and rewarding. Experiencing their genuine excitement is a gift like no other!”

JLR volunteers prepare a shopping event for children at Heritage Park.

The AventWest Children’s Mentoring team puts on Winterfest, a large Christmas party, for its participants. Junior League member and AventWest Co-captain, Wendy Reinhart tells us, “Winterfest is one of the few opportunities we have to interact with the parents, grandparents, and siblings of our kiddos. It’s really cool to get a bigger picture of each child’s life when we have a family event.  Being able to expand on those relationships with an evening of fun with them and their families is a true gift.”

JLR volunteers prepare for “Winterfest” at AventWest Children’s Mentoring.

The Junior League of Raleigh also sponsors an Angel Tree for SAFEChild, a child abuse prevention agency in Wake County. Members donate unwrapped gifts on the wish lists of local families with the hopes of making the holidays happier.

JLR members shop for Angel Tree gifts.

It was a season to be generous! Now, our dedicated volunteers look forward to 2020 and making not just a season, but a whole year better for families in our community. Happy New Year!