BAGS OF HOPE – This project allows the JL to partner with the Domestic Violence Prevention Center to provide personal bags of comfort to children who are victims in abuse situations. Many times these children arrive at the center with nothing but the clothes on their backs. These bags contain hygiene materials as well as fun items for the children. The JLT distributes approximately 500 bags per year.
DENTAL CLINIC – Healthy smiles improve self-esteem. The JLT started the dental clinic in 1927 for underprivileged school children under the leadership of Dr. Rowe Smith and the local Dental Association. The program was taken over by the state in 1944. The League resumed the dental clinic in 1990 as a league project partnering with local dentist to provide dental care in their offices to children who are otherwise unable to afford dental care. In 2009, under the direction of Dr. Adrian Lippian, we also taught the 4th grade at Spring Lake Park Elementary how to brush and floss their teeth. Each child received a goody bag with a toothbrush, cover for their toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
HOLIDAY FROM THE HEART – We owe a big thank you to Wal-Mart, which matches League funding for this project. Each December, over 60 students from area schools who might night otherwise receive Christmas gifts are given $100 each and enjoy a morning of shopping with a JL Volunteer to partner with a child. Many children purchase gifts for their family as well as themselves. In addition to the gifts, each child received a picture with Santa and a food basket to bring home to their family.
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN – This program is a partnership with the Association of Junior Leagues International to teach kids how to prepare healthy meals and snacks. This year, the JLT offered classes at the Mistletoe Fair to teach children how to make healthy snacks. We also expanded the healthy living part of this program and partnered with Red Lick School. The children ran 30 minutes a day for six weeks before they actually ran “The Final Mile Celebration”. After the run, they participated in learning portion control and how to make healthy meals and snacks.
SHOES FOR THE SOUL – Give a child a pair of shoes and give them dignity. In an ongoing partnership with Payless Shoe Source, the League works with all local school districts to select children to shop at Payless for two pairs of shoes with the help of a Junior League volunteer. The JLT was able to provide 956 pairs of shoes to 505 children. This project was a brainstorm from the provisional class of 2003’s Provisional Project.
SRING INTO READING – R-E-A-D! In an effort to encourage school-aged children to develop a greater interest in reading, the JLT partnered with Liberty-Eylau C.K. Bender Elementary School to help promote literacy. The morning began with a “Spring into Reading” pep rally that includes cheerleaders, drill team, and a motivational speech where the coaches and athletes talked about the importance of reading. The 610 children returned to their classrooms where a JLT volunteer and a high school student read to them. They all received a monogrammed backpack with 3 new books, a snack and information on the public library.
STAR LAB – This is a portable planetarium used to educate students on the world of astronomy. Students enter the inflatable sphere to see amazing star formations and planets. It is available for area schools through a check out process from the Junior League.
TEACHER TAKE WING –Provides grants to area teachers for innovative in-class projects that might not otherwise be funded. Applications are accepted, reviewed, scored and ranked by a League committee, and the grants are awarded to the highest scores. No proposed project can seek more than $500 in funds. The JLT funded $19,974.08 in grants this past year.
CASA of Northeast Texas -court-appointed advocates give a voice to in the legal system to abused and neglected children.
Randy Sams Outreach Shelter-provides food, shelter, and basic comfort to the homeless.
Runnin WJ Ranch-offers the unique therapy of horseback riding to special needs children improving not only their physical skills, but their language abilities as well.
Texarkana Symphony Orchestra-its Youth Orchestra program, which trains local students to play in symphony concerts during the year, encouraging musical talent and appreciation in our schools.
