22 September 2013

The Junior League of Pelham Kicks off the New League Year

If you ask Pelhamites which volunteer organizations they know in Pelham, without a doubt, the Junior League of Pelham will be mentioned. For over 70 years, the JLP has been an integral part of Pelham with its members working hard to improve Pelham and its surrounding communities through countless volunteer efforts.  In fact, many Pelham landmarks, including Pelham Children’s Center, Pelham Art Center and The Pelham Public Library were founded through the efforts or with the help of the JLP.

In the new 2013-14 League year, the women of the League look forward to continuing their volunteer efforts.  Says JLP President Tyson Newton Stephens:“With the support of the Pelham community, the JLP membership will continue to make Pelham the vibrant, wonderful town we all know and love.”

This year we will see JLP volunteers in the Pelham Public Library, continuing the extremely popular, twice-weekly story hours for infants and preschoolers.  For teenage residents of Pelham, the League will continue its successful Teen Improv Project (TIP) run in partnership with The Picture House.  Once again, TIP will give aspiring teen improv comedians an opportunity to train with a professional coach and perform in front of their peers.

Additionally, the JLP will continue its long-running Backpack Program in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle.  Last year, JLP helped feed 25 needy families, providing 350 pounds of pasta, 250 pounds of rice, hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, 375 loaves of whole wheat bread, 200 cans of beans, 200 jars of peanut butter and 1,200 cans of tuna and chicken over the year.  The JLP members will also continue weekly Food Rescue Runs teaming up with local non-profit County Harvest rescuing fresh, excess food that would have been discarded, and providing it to WestHelp Food Shelter in Mount Vernon.

In addition to these on-going efforts, the JLP is adding some great new events and volunteer projects this year, including kicking off the fall with the first annualOktoberfest celebration in downtown Pelham on October 5. The event is open to public. “Oktoberfest will be a fantastic way to celebrate the crisp autumn season. You’ll enjoy authentic German foods, an amazing selection of beer, while catching up with friends and neighbors,” explained JLP Fund Development VP, Sandy Iyer-Horan.  Proceeds from the event will provide funding for JLP Community Outreach projects, while supporting local businesses.

Perhaps, the most exciting new development is JLP’s new Signature Project.  In its commitment to continuously improve Pelham, the JLP is working with the Village of Pelham to bring a Children’s Adventure Park to the heart of downtown Pelham. This park will be a naturalistic-style play area that will invite children to discover, learn and explore with creative structures and the natural landscape.  This is a long-term project that will take a few years to complete.

Significant progress is expected to be made in the upcoming year in development of the park, and the JLP will update and seek input from the community to ensure that the Children’s Adventure Park is a treasured place in downtown Pelham.

“We are passionate about the Children’s Adventure Park and committed to its success,” said Aisling Bier, Co-Chair of JLP Signature Project. “Weihman Park, Julianne’s Playground were all JLP Signature Projects.  Now we cannot imagine our town without them. We hope the Children’s Adventure Park will also become part of the JLP legacy in Pelham.”

If you want to become part of this vibrant group of women consider attending the JLP’s Prospective Member Informational Session on Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at 139 Country Club Lane.

About Junior League of Pelham:

The Junior League of Pelham is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Please visit www.jlpelham.org for more information.