Junior League of Cedar Rapids » Done in a Day Projects

JLCR Donates Clothes for Metro Threads

Cari Foss — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:57:55 +0000

Junior League of Cedar Rapids (JLCR) members participated in a clothing drive in January called Metro Threads, which benefits students at Metro High School as they prepare to enter the workforce. The drive was one of JLCR’s Done in a Day (DIAD) projects, which are community service projects that are done one day out of every month from September through May.

At the January General Membership Meeting JLCR members brought in an abundance of donations for both men and women including: business clothing, casual attire, shoes, jewelry, scarves, ties, watches, belts, purses, wallets, gloves and hats. These were then brought to Metro High School so that students could select items to use as they apply for and interview for jobs and to wear once they begin a new position in the workforce.

Metro High School is the Cedar Rapids Area Alternative High School and is the largest Alternative High School in Iowa. Established in 1974 by the Cedar Rapids Community School District, Metro High School has been recognized twice as a Blue Ribbon School and is focused on mastering educational tasks regardless of obstacles.

Donations Benefit CrossRoads Mission

Cari Foss — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:03:25 +0000

Another successful Done In a Day (DIAD) project has been completed! DIADs are JLCR’s smaller community service projects that are done one day out of every month from September through May.

During November’s DIAD, JLCR members donated an abundance of items to CrossRoads Mission in Cedar Rapids including toilet paper, diapers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and formula. According to Missy Dennis, DIAD committee chair and coordinator of the project, “enough was donated to fill my van!”

CrossRoads Mission is a non-profit, neighborhood ecumenical Christian mission that supports members of the Cedar Rapids community and their families. Donations made to CrossRoads Mission are used for flood relief, emergency support of those in poverty, and those newly impoverished and homeless due to the epic flood of 2008 and the recession.

Thanks to all who contributed!

And be sure to keep an eye out for JLCR members at the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) as we help them fill online orders throughout the month of December.

Photo by Allessandro Perilli

Junior League Assists Four Oaks PHASE Program

Cari Foss — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:07:54 +0000

Junior League of Cedar Rapids (JLCR) has completed its first Done In a Day (DIAD) project of the 2010-2011 year. DIADs are JLCR community service projects that members participate in one day every month from September through May. On Saturday Sept. 18, JLCR held our first volunteer event with the Four Oaks PHASE Program.

Four Oaks’ mission is to assure children become successful adults. It is a place where children can go with psychiatric and emotional problems and stay until they feel secure. The PHASE Supervised Community Treatment is a delinquency specific program that allows participating youth to stay connected to their community, schools, and families, and graduate from PHASE with reduced risk to reoffend.

On Sept. 18, JLCR members painted 12 rooms at the PHASE Program facility in Independence to make the children’s bedrooms more warm and comfortable for the children who stay there. The paint was supplied by Sherwin Williams.

The facility is also in great need of items such as beds in a bag, board games and hygiene products. They gladly accept donations and a complete list of their needed items can be found on their website.

JLCR is looking forward to supporting an organization that enriches the lives of children and prepares them for success.

Pictured:
Joanna Nohr, Nicole Ridge, Missy Dennis, Maria Sanchez-Masi and Mindy Sorg

Valentine's Skating Party – Families Helping Families

Sheri Melby — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:19:39 +0000

Families Helping Families First Annual Valentine’s Skating Party will be held at the Super Skate 5100 Northland Ave NE, CR from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The skate includes: free admission and skate rental, free pizza and pop, free valentine’s cards for children to make and a ton of fun!

Admission is free to all children in Family Foster Care, suitable relative care and the families caring for them. Please register for this event at www.FamiliesHelpingFamiliesofIowa.com or call Leanne Loehr at 319-310-3110 or email leannel@familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.com

Do 3 Good Deeds

Kati Davis — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:23:28 +0000

What better way to kick off the new year than with a twist on the usual DIAD? Add doing three good deeds during the month of January to your list of resolutions and you’ll have achieved success before you know it! Each week throughout January we will be offering a way to give back to the community in very different capacities.

Week 1- Head Start New Year’s Party
Help a child celebrate the New Year by donating to the Head Start New Year’s Party!

Needed: A menu will be provided in the near future, likely to include a cold sandwich, fresh fruit, veggies and ranch dip, milk and water, sugar cookies and a craft for toddler aged children (More info to come shortly).

Week 2- Gems of Hope on January 12, 6:30-7:30pm, Hall Radiation Conference Room-Mercy Hospital
Make memories with fellow Leaguers while putting your creative talents to use for a great cause!

Spend an evening creating beautiful and unique beaded jewelry.

Week 3- Four Oaks Block-by-Block on January 23 9:00am to 1:00pm
Whoever said ladies don’t swing a hammer or paint, never met a Junior Leaguer!

This project will need a large number of volunteers; spouses and significant others welcome.

You will need to complete a liability release form (PDF) found at the following address and bring with on the 23rd:

Week 4 – Pay it Forward
Do one random act of kindness this week
Pick up someone’s tab at Starbuck’s, invite a neighbor over for coffee…you get the idea!
You never know, you may get asked at February’s GMM what you did.

Waypoint’s Wonderland

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:04:09 +0000

The holidays are a welcoming time for most, but for many in need it can be a challenging time of year. There are thousands of families in our community who are in need — living in a homeless shelter….seeking refuge from domestic violence….or who are nearly-homeless and living paycheck to paycheck. Some families may receive support from a friend or family member, others receive help from human service agencies such as Waypoint for shelter, basic needs, and even holiday presents.

Can you imagine a child making a wish list, with his mother knowing she can’t make his wishes come true?
Can you imagine a preteen not writing a letter because she knows her family cannot afford presents?
Can you imagine a child wanting to give a gift to his mom, but she doesn’t have money or someone to help her select a gift?

Waypoint invites the community to join us as we celebrate the season of giving. There are many great opportunities for individuals, families, groups or businesses to get involved with this holiday to help women and children served at Waypoint.

Donate
Donate holiday gifts and/or food and toiletries for families at Waypoint.

A complete list of holiday needs at Waypoint can be found at www.WaypointServices.org

Celebrate
Stop in at the Waypoint Wonderland Open House on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. to deliver your donations, receive an optional tour of the Waypoint facilities, and enjoy holiday cookies and punch.

Tanager Place Coat Drive

Kati Davis — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:10:14 +0000

Junior League of Cedar Rapids (JLCR) is proud to partner with Tanager Place to collect winter clothing for children in need. With the winter season approaching, Tanager Place, a non-profit children’s agency, is in need of winter items for the 68 children they serve on their campus, located in southwest Cedar Rapids. Tanager Place is asking for support from Junior League to embrace this cause by donating winter coats, hats, gloves or mittens, snow boots, snow pants, and scarves. Community members are asked to join JLCR and Tanager Place on November 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Four Oaks Bridge (2100 1st Ave E, Cedar Rapids) to donate new or gently used items of all sizes, from infant to adult.

“We are delighted to partner with Junior League for our coat drive,” said Lezlie John, Community Relations Assistant at Tanager Place. “It is wonderful that two non-profit organizations are joining together to help children in the community.”

Tanager Place, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest children’s agencies in Iowa and serves children challenged by social and psychological needs. The goal of all programs at Tanager Place is to assure the development and fulfillment of each child’s potential. Tanager Place works with children of all ages to restore, heal and re-build lives that have been torn apart with emotional struggles. Professional counsel helps these children learn new coping skills; therapy and guidance helps to build confidence and gives them opportunities to live healthy and happy tomorrows. Tanager Place currently serves over 500 children on a daily basis.

In addition to their regular projects and fundraisers, JLCR participates in monthly Done in a Day (DIAD) projects. These projects typically involve other non-profit organizations that match JLCR’s mission of helping women and children. Past and future DIAD partners include Arc of East Central Iowa, ASAC, Waypoint, and Young Parents Network. November’s DIAD focuses on helping the children at Tanager Place.

For more information, please contact Junior League of Cedar Rapids at (319) 364-7892 or info@JuniorLeagueCR.org

19th Annual Especially for You Race

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:09:07 +0000

Over 30,000 plus individuals participated in Mercy Hospital’s Especially for You Race. JLCR had 36 people participate raising $660.00 for Breast Cancer Research.

CONGRATULATIONS to those who participated!

First Place: Megan Murray 20:24

Kari Kempf: 6th Age Group/ 30th Overall

Kristin Roberts: 5th Age Group/31st Overall

Ann Oleson: 7th Age Group/35th Overall

Liz Wardzinski: 39th Age Group/ 306 Overall

Mindy Sorg: 53rd Age Group/372 Overall