THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LYNCHBURG

Download the 2010 edition of the JLL regional publication, BLAZE.

A press release published 6/23/09 about the construction of the new Sprayground coming to Riverside Park in Summer 2010.

JLL Sprayground Press Release

A second article from ABC13 about the JLL Ducky Derby. Published 5/2/10.

An article about our Ducky Derby from ABC13, published 4/30/10.

An article about our Kentucky Derby Soiree in The News & Advance

(LYNCHBURG, Va. – April 23, 2010) – The Junior League of Lynchburg (JLL) will host a full day of activities on May 1, 2010, to support the many community projects and initiatives that are championed by the women of the JLL.

Festivities will begin at Peaksview Park with a Ducky Derby and Ducky Dash at 9 am. The Ducky Derby will include plenty of family fun with games, free bounce rides, concessions and a duck race. Representatives from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children will offer free fingerprinting kits for kids and safety tips, while the Lynchburg Humane Society will be bringing several adoptable pets. This free event will feature 2,500 ducks dropped into Ivy Creek, with the first three ducks and the last duck all winning prizes. Ducks can be purchased for $5 each through any JLL member. The Ducky Dash is open to children up to age 12 for a $10 registration fee. The distance run can be logged toward the Virginia 10 Miler. More information and registration forms are available at http://www.jrleaguelynchburg.org.

Continuing the derby theme, celebrate the Kentucky Derby at JLL’s Derby Day Soiree at Old Elkton Farm. The event will benefit both the JLL and Couples & Kids, a non-profit, family oriented counseling center. It will include live viewing of the Kentucky Derby, signature mint juleps, a hat and bow tie contest, music by the Dog Boys Band and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $60 each and available on the JLL Web site.

Support raised from the JLL’s annual fundraiser is used to administer successful community programs such as Day in the Park, now in its 30th year; Kids in the Kitchen, teaching children healthy options as part of the community-wide Smart Moves initiative; and community grants which provided $5,000 to local non-profit organizations in 2009.

Welcome to the JLL’s new site!  Take a browse and let us know what you think.

While you are here, don’t forget to pay your membership dues and buy your tickets for the Derby Day Soiree!

One of the biggest challenges for many League members is asking friends, coworkers and business contacts to financially support our wonderful community projects.  There is a hurdle, or mental block perhaps, in making that leap from proud, active league member to community solicitor. But without community support, we simply could not afford to build the Sprayground, organize Day in the Park, and give out $5,000 in community grants, just to name a few recent highlights.

I envy those confident women who haven’t hesitated a second in asking for $5,000…don’t bat an eye when asking “Do you want to buy a duck?”  I have several very successful fund development friends who are doing incredible things for local colleges and non-profits.  But for many of us, it just feels so intimidating and awkward.  Well, the deadline time is here for all of our actives to sell their ducks and solicit sponsors.  I must admit, I had my own fantastic, personal excuses to delay my own “asking” until earlier this month.  But when I finally dove in, local businesses and friends were incredibly supportive.  And from the wonderful training of Rod Meek – the most difficult ask is indeed the FIRST one. It’s true!

While it is never a skill I will master, it is an important one to develop, as we all go forward to do great things to improve this wonderful Central Virginia community.  So, ladies, please embrace this opportunity for personal growth… Sustainers & friends, please take pity on our nervous requests for support…. and give generously!

The ladies of your League are doing some amazing things. For the first time, you can buy Ducky tickets online AND pay annual dues online! What a wonderful and convenient new ability, and all done by OUR volunteers.

We’ve also expanded the Ducky Derby Duck Race at Peaksview Park to include a morning “fun run” for kids and an evening soiree built around the Kentucky Derby at Old Elkton Farm in Forest. May 1st will be an outstanding day, so be sure to join in the fun of AT LEAST 1 activity. AND we’re working on 3 new grant requests so we can keep spreading the Smart Moves message – one featuring a new “bouldering” area near the Sprayground. Not sure what bouldering is? Stay tuned – it’s really neat!

Lastly, we have our largest group of provisionals in at least the last 5 years and it is an exceptional group of women. I’ve been fortunate to spend some one-on-one time with several of you and am just so excited about the many abilities and ideas you bring to our League.

Quite an incredible group of gals, don’t you agree?
’til next time,
Tracey

Tracey Dixon
JLL President

I hope you all have had a wonderful, relaxing, joyous Christmas and are ready for this time of transitions and new beginnings. At our house, it was Weston’s first Christmas and it was spectacular! I was very pleased he actually appreciated the presents – he was pretty fixed on the wrapping paper and ribbons at first Top presents thus far are all of a musical nature. My husband aspires for him to be a drummer… I’ll be breaking out the “doctor kit” and “play dress up in a suit” soon – just kidding! (well, mostly…)

Check out my facebook for pics and by the way, have you joined the Junior League of Lynchburg’s facebook page? There is also one for AJLI. If you need help harnessing this new technology, drop me a note – it’s much fun! Or give it a shot at www.facebook.com.

A very Merry and best wishes for a magical year ahead!
Tracey