The Junior Woman’s Club of Verona recently wrapped up a very successful year and received numerous honors at the annual convention of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs – Junior Membership.
The Juniors’ 2013-2014 fundraising efforts benefited from tremendous community support and enabled the club to donate $11,000 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 and backpacks filled with school supplies to families in need.
In addition, the Verona Juniors donated $3,700 to other local, national and international charities, such as the Human Needs Food Pantry, Valerie Fund, Essex County CASA, the Seeing Eye, Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, Progeria Research Foundation and the SUDC Program.
At the state convention in May, 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 eight other awards, including first place for working with Family Promise, a special state project. Additional recognition related to the club’s advocacy for children, as well as its fundraising and membership efforts.
The club also celebrated two individual honors: Kristen Donohue, the 2013-14 president, was named to the Order of the Lily for going above and beyond the call of service, and club member Lorri Caffrey won the Central Region Junior Fever award.
At the 2014 Verona Mayor’s Charity Ball, the club was honored for its outstanding community service.
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.
