Larkin’s Place was officially voted in by the membership of the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana as a project. The Junior League was the very first community organization I turned to in order to get LP off the ground. I was an active member of League for 10 years and have been a sustaining member since 2001.
The Junior League of Champaign-Urbana is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
Junior League has been responsible for many projects turning into the very foundations of social service agencies in Champaign-Urbana. A radical idea in the fifties, the Day Care Center was established (Bradley Street Daycare) and the Champaign County Rehabilitation Center became a reality (now the Developmental Services Center, DSC). Crisis Nursery, Food for Families established in partnership with the Eastern Illinois Food bank.
These are just a few of the ideas that grew with League’s help and today most are thriving and generating support to women and children on all levels. Larkin’s Place was not scary to these women. Larkin’s Place was a vision that the membership could share and not only plant the seeds but also rain down with support to help us grow.
One of the ways they are doing this is with their major fundraiser, Festival of Trees. This year is going to be amazing as it is the “Thanks a Million” year. The Festival has raised nearly a million dollars for community programs over the past twelve years. My friend and boss, Kent Shirley, donated a 2009 Honda for raffle on behalf of Twin City Honda-BMW. Armstrong Lumber Company has also donated the CUTEST playhouse for raffle. Not that I am biased but it is cute. (giggle)
How can YOU help?
I will give you a link here that will take you to the Junior League home page where you can purchase the raffle tickets for the car ($20 for one or $100 buys 6) and you can see the sponsors and maybe sign up for the lunch or the gala. Whatever you decide to do, helps Larkin’s Place become a reality.
Junior League of Champaign-Urbana
My husband and daughter go to the dance every year. And they always buy lots of tickets!
Last year they actually won a prize. A pink Barbie motorized car!
It’s the social event of the year for them 🙂