President's Annual Report

Throughout its 28-years, our League has contributed countless dollars and volunteer hours to Winter Haven and surrounding communities. World-wide, Junior League members are an unparalleled and amazingly influential force; unifying more than 175,000 women. As communities become more global, Junior League women continue to be a force with whom to be reckoned. Afterall, we are women on a mission. This mission is simple yet profound: 􀁸 Promote voluntarism 􀁸 Develop the potential of women 􀁸 Improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers Now more than ever, voluntarism plays a crucial role in our communities. Our ability to inspire awareness, compassion, hope, and a sense of community will not only help heal our communities during these unstable times, but help build a bond between each other. This year, we are extremely proud to welcome 9 new members into our League. I look forward to being a part of their personal, professional, and philanthropic growth. They have become a part of the sisterhood we all share; that gift we have been given to impact the lives of underserved children and their families; our community, and each other as we come to find a deeper understanding of ourselves as we serve our community.. An underlying mission of the League is to train members to be powerful volunteers—to take the experiences in team management, fundraising, communications, community activism and apply that to other community organizations. Beyond the good works we do each year, this is the true gift our League shares with our community—our reach is widespread. Our projects, programs and grants would not be possible without JLGWH’s extraordinary fundraising efforts. This year, we introduced 2 innovative fundraising concepts to East Polk County raising over $20,000.00 with the inaugural Merry Market and Casino Night fundraising events. In a difficult economy, this accomplishment is unparalleled. Yet these talented women built strategic plans, and then achieved these unprecedented results with a style and grace that made their tasks seem effortless. We continued to grow our outstanding service projects by introducing new initiatives this year, while maintaining solid fund management principles to insure sustainability for our league. The highlights of our community service projects this year include our library education event, grants to well-deserving teachers, and necessary personal items donated to foster children to ease their transition into independent living. Blazing a path to community awareness, our membership initiated new projects to ignite a passion for healthy lifestyles via our Kids in the Kitchen project, raising safety awareness to local school-aged children via bike helmet donations, holiday gift packaging for the Salvation Army, introducing a women’s education series, partnering with the United Way to provide free tax services for low income families and contributing our time to benefit the Winter Haven Stroke Center. These enormous undertakings would not be possible without our energetic visionaries that donate their valuable time and talents as members of our organization, and leaders for our community. We are so very fortunate to have the generous support of the community and our sponsors that strengthen our efforts and widen our impact. On behalf of over 150 members of the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven, I would like to thank our community partners, corporate sponsors, individual donors, family and friends for your contributions and support. Your belief in our mission and generous donations of both time and money speak volumes to your commitment to improve the lives of others and is a significant part of our lasting legacy. Without you, we could not provide the volunteer service we believe in so passionately. Our organization is made up of more than a voting membership—but a sisterhood of overachievers who are passionate about making their community a better place to live. I often refer to this amazing group of women as “Superheros” as their ability to multi-task and conquer the impossible is aw-inspiring and humbling. Each of these passionate volunteers truly set out each day to save the world! One little piece, person, or project at a time. As a parting act of leadership, I want to congratulate my predecessor, and dear friend; a woman that embodies all that the League means to me: strength, brains, spirit and passion. Wendy Morris, I look forward to what the coming year has in store for you. Better yet, we all look forward to what you have in store for the coming year. I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve my community and my League in this year. Thank you for allowing me to share in the many blessings of serving you all. It is with great pleasure that we provide the community with this annual report. On behalf of the 2007-2008 Board of Directors, I want to thank you—our members, your families, our sponsors, and our community partners for giving your time, talents and treasures to support the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven’s efforts. Our collective impact in the Polk County community through our service is nothing short of Superhero status. Respectfully Submitted, Leslie Heimer