The Juniors’ 2012-2013 fundraising efforts included “Flags Out Front,” in honor of veterans, as well as the club’s first-ever Holiday Vendor Market and its annual Bunny Brunch and discount-card sales. All of these fundraisers benefited from tremendous community support and enabled the club to donate nearly $10,000 to Verona schools and other Verona organizations, such as our fire department, rescue squad, library and PBA. These donations include three $1,000 scholarships to Verona High School seniors graduating in June, as well as funds for all of the local schools, elementary through high school. The Juniors also provided supermarket gift cards to families in need.
In addition, the Verona Juniors donated nearly $3,000 to other local, national and international charities, such as the Human Needs Food Pantry, the Valerie Fund, the Seeing Eye, Essex County CASA and Restore the Shore. In April, the Juniors were able to raise more than $300 for Prevent Child Abuse NJ when they “planted” a pinwheel garden outside the Verona Community Center to raise awareness about child abuse.
At the state convention in April, the Junior Woman’s Club of Verona was the only group to receive the Unity Award for its work with the local Woman’s Club and Juniorettes. The Verona Juniors brought home nine other awards, including first place for communications, first place for advocating for children and first place for working with Family Promise, a special state project. Additional recognition related to the club’s work with women’s history, performing arts and state projects connected to the Valerie Fund and the Seeing Eye, as well as its fundraising, leadership and membership efforts. In addition, the 2012-13 president, Kristen Donohue, was placed on the Honor Roll, the highest individual honor a club member may receive.
The Junior Woman’s Club of Verona is a versatile organization that has been involved in social and charitable work since its inception in 1926. The Juniors address Verona’s diverse needs by promoting education, preserving natural resources, encouraging healthy lifestyles, working on behalf of the elderly and people with disabilities, supporting participation in the arts and advocating for issues of concern to women, children and families.
Anyone interested in learning more about this very active organization of women should visit www.veronajuniors.org. Prospective members also are welcome at business meetings, which are held the second Wednesday of each month (except April, July, August and December) at 8 p.m. in the Verona Community Center.
