Jingle All the JLW Way!

There’s nothing that warms the soul like celebrating the spirit of giving. That’s why the holidays are a great time to be a member of the Junior League of Washington (JLW). There are countless ways to give back – to our partners in Washington, DC, to our DC community, and to the women we are lucky to call JLW friends.

We’ve celebrated the holidays with our community partners, including:

-       Providing gifts for 51 members of 21 families served by Community Family Life Servicesand holding a holiday party for 17 CFLS Trinity Arms participants;

-       BringingSanta’s spirit to the halls of the Capitol with more than 40 Horton’s Kids; and

-       Toastingthe season at our annual holiday dinner with N Street Village – which more than40 women and their families attended!

JLW women also helped:

…Encourage reading by providing more than 1,000 books through our Resolution Read initiative to holiday parties at nonprofits across the region, both with our community partners, like 826DC’s Reading All-Stars and the National Rehabilitation Hospital, and with other local organizations, like It Takes a Village, Baby (don’t miss the heart-warming video of their toy distribution event here).

Resolution Read books were handed out as prizes at the 826DC Reading All-Stars holiday party. Each child received a prize like a toy, game, or action figure donated by JLW members, as well as a book rewarded to them for their hard work. Said one Reading All-Star child, “No way! That’s like getting TWO prizes!” We agree!

 … Give 120 Bright Beginnings children a happy holiday by providing gifts of clothing, books, and a toy.

A JLW volunteer assembles gifts for a Bright Beginnings child, donated by JLW members.

…Assemble 60 winter wardrobe kits, which contained sweatshirts, thermals, gloves, hats, scarves, and more, for Calvary Women’s Service clients staying in transitional and permanent supportive housing, as well as women who have recently moved into their own homes.

Members of the Calvary Women’s Services Committee pose with some of the 480 gifts they wrapped.

… Lay wreaths on the headstones of the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America.

Thanks to the Esprit and Folger Shakespeare Library Committees for organizing this meaningful event.

…Ensure access to healthy food for the holidays by volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank.

Members of the Done-in-a-Day Committee after a shift at the Capital Area Food Bank

…Turn A Wider Circle into the North Pole and provide 15 individuals with gifts for the holidays.

A Wider Circle Committee’s elves pose with their decorations.

… Bring the DC Snow Princess to Literacy Lab’s annual holiday party on Wednesday, December 14. She delighted the children with songs and stories before all the children received presents of books, notepads, and writing activity books.

…Our New Members celebrate the season! On Saturday, December 10, they exchanged cookies and well wishes for the holidays.

Dozens of New Members gathered at the Annual New Member Cookie Exchange at JLW Headquarters on December 10 for homemade treats and champagne. Pictured here from left to right: Myrna Olvera, Jessica Pavel, Tess Terrible, Mikayla Bouchard, and Etta Hulcher.

…Explore all that DC has to offer at the holiday season. From ZooLights, to cocktails at the Columbia Room, to the National Botanic Gardens, the Esprit Committee organized several wonderful social events for JLW members to gather and celebrate the holidays!

JLW member Camden Stuebe captured this beautiful photograph of the decorations at the U.S. Botanic Gardens at our JLW Esprit event earlier in December.

To see more photos of all the ways we celebrated the holidays, check out our Flickr page.

Thank you to all who helped JLW celebrate the holidays! We extend our warmest holiday wishes to you and your loved ones – and we’ll see you in 2017!  

Dinner, Holiday Style: Breaking Bread with N Street Village

By: Jessi Wooldridge, N Street Village Committee member

Group photo with Santa at the end of the party. 

The Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) N Street Village Committee hosted an annual holiday party for the women of the N Street Village shelter on Sunday, December 11. Each committee member brought a holiday dish or craft item for about 40 women and their families, and the dining area was beautifully decorated to bring the spirit of the holidays close to heart for everyone. 

The holiday celebration, like each Sunday evening meal, started with a prayer led by one of the N Street Village participants, followed by JLW members serving up a healthy, holiday feast complete with fun favorites like mini chicken and waffles, meatballs, and a little something sweet - cookies!

Throughout dinner, attendees made festive reindeer decorations and enjoyed each other’s company. As a surprise, special guest Santa joined in the fun! A gracious volunteer played the role of a very tall and lean Santa bringing the holiday cheer to all of the women and their families.

N Street Committee members putting together reindeer ornaments,

We wrapped up the evening by gifting each woman with a small basket of health and beauty products, books, and more. The children also had the chance to select books provided by JLW’s Resolution Read initiative to take home and devour during their holiday breaks.

Gift bags set up for the women of N Street and books for children.

JLW is grateful for the partnership with N Street Village, an organization that offers support services for homeless and low-income women. Many of the N Street Village participants face challenges including homelessness, poverty, and mental illness, so with the support of N Street Village, these women receive resources and support for healing and recovery. In addition to hosting special events like this holiday party, members of JLW’s N Street Village Committee prepare and serve dinner to the women on Sundays twice per month. 

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The Recipe for a Happy Holidays Horton’s Kids Celebration: Start with Cookies, then add Face Paint and Books!

Members of the Junior League of Washington (JLW) rang in the holiday season on December 11, 2016, with Horton’s Kids, a tutoring and mentorship organization for at-risk children in the Anacostia neighborhood. Each year, approximately 30 JLW members serve on the Horton’s Kids Committee; placements volunteer through both tutoring services on Capitol Hill, as well as hosting events for the children, which provide a safe and fun environment to celebrate their favorite holidays.

This year’s holiday party was held in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. As soon as the children ran through the doors of the historic Cannon Caucus room, excitement filled the air, and the party truly got started! 

A jovial Santa Claus chatted with the Horton's Kids participants.

 

JLW women provided several tables of various activities for more than 40 children ranging in age from two to 12 to participate in while they enjoyed a lunch of pizza, fruits, and veggies. After students got their faces painted with Rudolph noses, snowflakes, and other fun holiday designs, they moved on to decorate Christmas ornaments and cards for their families. The kids loved making gifts for their family members. They even designed their own Christmas stockings in the hopes that St. Nick will fill them in just a few days.

Check out that facepainting job! Horton's Kids pose for a picture after getting their faces painted by JLW volunteers.

JLW volunteers get crafty with Horton's Kids at the annual holiday party on December 11.

There was also a cupcake and cookie decorating station, complete with icings, sprinkles, and other accoutrements to satisfy every sweet tooth. To work off the sugar high, the children played games such as “Pin the Nose on Rudolf,” a marshmallow “snowball” toss game, and holiday-themed bean bag toss. The real winners were the kids who correctly guessed the number of candies in the jar – the prize being the jar of candy itself!

A pastry chef in the making! Horton's Kids participants decorated cupcakes and cookies with sprinkles and icing. 

Finally, the true guest of honor was none other than Santa Claus. Santa took pictures with the kids, handed out candy canes, and spread holiday cheer. He was equipped with a table of free books for the children (through JLW’s Resolution Read program) to take home with them and enjoy with their families. Leave it to JLW to help spread the gift of literacy on any occasion!

A big thank you to all the hard-working members of JLW for their time, creativity, and holiday spirit. Your efforts made the holiday party a success, and the Horton’s Kids had an unforgettable time!

Top of everyone's holiday wish: a fist bump from Santa!

Spotlight on Community Family Life Services Committee

The fall and winter months are easily the most exciting time of the year for Community Family Life Services (CFLS) participants and committee members. After kicking off the school year with a Back-to-School drive, we held a Thanksgiving food drive in November and rounded out December with the annual Adopt-a-Family and Christmas celebration. 

Back Left to Right: JLW members Lucy Lynch, Jenny Dawson, and Nicole Sandoz help serve dinner at CFLS's annual holiday celebration. 

CFLS Committee member Amy Cheng helps a CFLS participant work on a puzzle at the holiday celebration.

Through these events, we were able to provide 40 Thanksgiving baskets, as well as holiday gifts and winter clothes for 50 CFLS participants. We also worked with Resolution Read to provide approximately 180 books to CFLS participants ranging in age from newborn to 18. All this support was made possible by members helping other members – from our committee members and JLW members at-large, to collaborating with other League committees.

CFLS Committee member Allison Everhardt helps a CFLS participant create a holiday frame for her family during the committee's holiday celebration.

In addition to these supply and gift drives, CFLS Committee members organize bimonthly Connection Nights with CFLS families to foster literacy and life skills; each session reaches approximately 10 women and 12 children. This month, one of our Connection Nights was a holiday celebration with a family-themed activity, dinner, and sweet treats. We organized a festival photo booth to take family portraits and decorated picture frames.

A CFLS regular contemplates how to decorate his picture frame at the holiday celebration. 

Across the League’s 11-year partnership with CFLS, JLW members have strived to provide the women and children with the support and resources they need to reenter society and prevent homelessness and recidivism.

All decked out for the holidays! The decorated picture frame is ready for a family photo.

Why I Volunteer: Washington School for Girls

Washington School for Girls students enjoyed National Book Festival in September.

Towards the end of my new member year, I asked Jennifer Hemingway, who was the President-Elect, for guidance on selecting a placement for my first year as an active member. She explained that serving on the Targeted Grants & Volunteer Resources (TGVR) placement is one of the best ways to understand the heart and soul of the Junior League of Washington’s mission – and she was right.

The fall of 2014 was the first time a 3-year grant was available to community partners. JLW leadership made the decision to offer a multi-year grant to create a partnership with an organization that was able to develop and execute a strategic plan. TGVR and JLW leadership emphasized at numerous meetings the importance of selecting the right grant recipient. We were about to invest $75,000 (three times more than the usual grant amount) into one organization, and the grant recipient had to align with our mission and values as well as offer volunteering opportunities.

TGVR members selected 10 out of 23 total applicants to submit full applications. I volunteered to organize the site visit for the Washington School for Girls (WSG) primarily because it was close to my home. I’d driven by the school many times and often saw the students walking in the neighborhood, but had no idea how big the impact was that the teachers and staff at this school were driving to bring not only hope, but real change in the Anacostia neighborhood in DC. WSG is a tuition-free, independent, all-girls school located in the heart of DC’s Ward 8. The school offers students in grades 3-8 the opportunity learn in an environment steeped in the rich Catholic-based education tradition. At the time of my experience, the school started in the fourth grade and had plans to expand to a year-round program for third graders for the 2015-2016 school year. The grant funds would be used to help the WSG develop the curriculum for the third grade, acquire reading materials and expand their literacy team. 

Five of us visited the campus and met the teachers and Sister Mary Bourdon, the Head of School. The five us fell in love with the girls, believed in the Sister Mary’s vision and knew that WSG was the ideal partner for this grant opportunity. The next step was to report our recommendation to TGVR leadership and schedule an interview so that the rest of the TGVR members could hear from the WSG’s leadership team. On interview day, the WSG and other finalists answered questions from TGVR members and made their case for why their organizations would be ideal partners for the three-year grant. In the end, it was the leadership team at WSG and Sister Mary’s commitment to the girls and track record of accomplishing goals that set the WSG apart from the other finalists. The final TGVR vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the WSG, and we were all excited about the next three years.

Currently, JLW and WSG are in the second year of the grant. Jennie Kronthal, who was a part of the five-person team that participated in the WSG site visit, is the JLW liaison with the school. She worked with WSG to establish ongoing volunteer opportunities during the WSG Saturday School where volunteers participate in fun activities designed by the WSG's Reading Specialist. The activities range from reading aloud, providing homework help and other literacy-based support. JLW volunteers have also supported the school’s popular Variety Show where the students perform original poetry, dramatic skits and dance routines.

Knowing that I had an active role in the partnership between JLW and WSG is one of the proudest moments in all of my volunteering history. I am a proud DC resident and am committed to reducing the wealth, health and educational achievement gap in the city, particularly in the wards JLW primarily serves. Addressing the literacy gap in one of the foundational steps towards making DC a better place for all residents, and the WSG is an organization focused on action and results.

Having opportunities to support organizations like WSG accomplish their goals is why I joined JLW. It’s why I volunteer.

  

Meet our Members and #JoinJLW

Our 2,334 members are the force that makes change happen. The Junior League of Washington is proud to be an organization of women celebrating and honoring diversity while focusing on shared values. Ahead of our Applicant Interest Form deadline on Friday, December 9, we wanted to take some time to introduce you to just a few of our members so you can learn a little more about them and why they joined JLW.

                                        

Meet Abigail:

Today, we’re introducing you to Abigail, a JLW New Member. Abigail joined JLW this year after one of her personal and professional mentors, Amy, helped her realize that the League would help her grow and feel empowered as a female leader and volunteer. Abigail also saw how much Amy loved JLW and is so excited to be a part of the League this year. When she’s not completing her New Member opportunities, she’s attending a Pi Phi Alumnae club event, happy hour with friends, or cooking dinner! On the weekends, she likes to explore the city and try out new brunch spots. Abigail’s favorite restaurant is the Hamilton, near the White House.

Meet Anne:

Public Relations and Digital Media Committee Chair Anne is in her fifth year as an active member in JLW. Anne transferred from the New York Junior League, which she joined in 2000. Anne joined the League because she believes it is important to volunteer in her community and to give time to helping others. As Chair, Anne manages the League’s social media and PR initiatives, handles live coverage of many of our events, and meets with other leaders to think of new opportunities for sharing JLW’s story. Outside of JLW, she loves yoga and is a competitive runner. She’s completed two 10-milers and two half-marathons to name a few.

Meet Jackie:

Jackie is the Vice Chair of the Esprit Committee, which plans social events throughout the city. Jackie joined JLW to volunteer in the community and make new friends. She grew up volunteering with her family and friends, and realized how difficult it was to get involved in the community when she moved to DC 10 years ago. Jackie’s favorite JLW memory was meeting her friend Stacey at the National Book Festival training during her new member year. She and Jackie have remained close friends throughout her JLW experience. Jackie’s favorite DC activity is attending free concerts held at the Society of Cincinnati’s Anderson House in Dupont Circle.

Meet Sarah:

Sarah serves as chair for the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) Committee. Sarah was looking to volunteer in the Washington, DC, community, and found it difficult to find the right opportunity. Sarah has been in the JLW for four years, and has served on both the Member Recruitment Committee and NMWA. Sarah’s favorite JLW memory was in her first active year, on Member Recruitment, when she planned a brunch for the committee after an orientation session. She’s still very close with many of the woman on the committee!

We asked Sarah the question, “If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?”

-  Laura Bush: to discuss literacy and founding the National Book Festival

-  Anna Wintour: to discuss fashion and how she runs a world renowned magazine

-  Emma Watson: to discuss her work on women’s rights and hear about playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast

Finally, when Sarah is not volunteering or at work, you can find her taking barre classes at Bar Method DC. It’s a great way to get an hour to herself, where she can focus and reset!

Meet Shunda:                                                Today in our #JoinJLW series, meet JLW member Shunda. A Dallas native and DC resident for over 18 years, Shunda has been a member of JLW for four years. After being introduced to the League by a former colleague and attending a JLW event, she said, “I knew that the women I would be surrounded by would inspire me to be an inspiration to other women.” One of Shunda’s favorite JLW memories is seeing the League’s direct community impact on the Washington School for Girls after helping guide the school through JLW’s grant process the year WSG won JLW’s three-year grant. Shunda also loves JLW’s spring fundraiser, Tossed & Found – “shopping + charity always equals a great time for me.” Outside of JLW, Shunda is mother to two sons, a seventh grader and a third grader; a Dallas Cowboys fan; active in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta; and an avid reader and Pinterest addict.  

Meet Sara:

Sara. By day, she is a venture capital investor at New Enterprise Associates, focusing on biotech, and a mother to three beautiful boys under four, but she is also a seven-year member of the Junior League of Washington. She said: "My work with JLW reminds me of how blessed I am, broadens my perspective, introduces me to fun, new people, and gives me a break from focusing on 'me and mine.'" Sara loves that in JLW, "everyone is committed, every one cares, and everyone does the job well." She also loves the diversity of volunteer opportunities with JLW: Currently she is a member of our 3039M Magazine Committee,  and she has also volunteered with @higherachievement (where she got to team up with her husband one year!). 

Meet Leanna:

We asked Leanna, Chair of our Done-In-a-Day Committee, to tell us about her League experience. Leanna joined JLW in 2012 to find a way to give back to the community, as well as branch out and meet new people. JLW has given her a chance to meet a new group of like-minded women, including her current roommate! Leanna spent three years on the Literacy Lab Committee, serving as chair last year. She loved meeting with the kids who attended their weekly reading sessions. She worked with one little boy who started with no interest in books, who just wanted to play during game time. By the end of the year, he would race over to pick up a book and would regularly skip game time to read books! When Leanna is not volunteering with the League, she loves to travel, and has been to more than five countries just this year! She also loves to take spin and barre classes, and enjoys attending concerts at the 9:30 Club.

Meet Lee:

Lee Murphy, a Sustainer, joined JLW in 2006, and has worked with a number of different community partners. She initially joined so she could be a part of a group of women who are dedicated to improving the lives around them. She’s stayed a member because she has benefited greatly from being around and learning from such impressive women. Before Lee became a Sustainer, Lee volunteered with a number of different committees and placements in her eight years of service. She served with Holiday Shops, Folger Shakespeare Library, Done-in-a-Day, and National Museum of Women in the Arts. This year, she’s serving as a Sustainer Ambassador. 

Meet Catharine:

Did you know if you move, you may transfer your League membership from one city to the next? Catharine transferred to JLW from the Junior League of Atlanta after moving to DC three years ago. Already, she's risen in the ranks to become vice chair of communications for the Transfer Committee. Catharine said, "I had such an amazing experience as a Transfer that I wanted to pay it forward and help other JLW Transfers also have a great experience." She joined JLW because of the women: "I'm impressed at how much everyone is able to juggle - jobs, family, hobbies, and volunteering. Since joining, I've only grown and learned how to be a better friend and citizen." Outside of JLW, Catharine loves to explore the city - she has a personal rule to try something different every week. From concerts, museums, and dining out, to horseback riding and hiking, she's up for anything.

Meet Angie:

Today, we’re spotlighting Angie Landenburger, the chair of our N Street Village Committee. Angie joined JLW in 2011 to volunteer with an organization where she knew she would be held accountable. Angie has been able to learn a lot about how to manage and lead a committee while serving as chair, and noted that this experience has helped her both personally and professionally. Angie’s favorite JLW memory is from her first year on N Street Village. She had planned a lunch and craft for the residents, and was in a table where one woman was in a bad mood. She said that painting made her feel so much better, and was thankful that we had come. This has kept Angie volunteering with N Street Village for the past few years. When Angie isn’t volunteering with the League or at work, she loves to visit museums, go to new restaurants, catch up on the latest Netflix show, or attend concerts in the city. Angie’s lived in the DC area her whole life, but loves that it never gets boring. There is always a new museum, pop-up, or must-see event going on. 

                                                  

Meet Darla:

Darla Bunting, a member of the Member Recruitment Committee, joined JLW in 2013. She learned about the League and its mission from a fellow member of the First Book-DC board, which she presently chairs. "As a former elementary school literacy teacher who understands the importance of literacy in the lives of all children, and especially our most vulnerable children in the District, I had to learn more (about JLW)," she explains. Darla has served on the Community Family Life Services, Targeted Grants and Volunteer Resources, and now Member Recruitment Committees. "One of my fondest League memories includes my new member advisory group led by Jennifer Pierotti Lim. She planned the most fun social events that helped each new member shake our jitters and become acclimated to how the Junior League operates and how we can each have the most enjoyable experience." In her free time, you can find Darla leading Enriched Schools in DC, exploring new restaurants, or making sweet confections for bridal and baby showers through her Etsy store Darling Chic Eats. 

If you are interested in joining us in our mission to transform the Washington, DC, community, we welcome you to fill out an Applicant Interest form by Friday, December 9, at 11:59 p.m. ET at bit.ly/JoinJLW.

Resolution Read: Purposefully Building Passion for Books and Reading

115,000 books — that’s how many books the Junior League of Washington (JLW) has distributed children across the DC area through our Resolution Read program.

Resolution Read is a sustained JLW initiative to make a lasting impact in the Washington, DC, community by fostering a passion for books and reading where it otherwise might not exist.  

During our centennial year in 2012-2013, JLW volunteers purchased and distributed 100,000 new books to children in the metropolitan area. Since then, we have donated more than 3,500 books a year. In particular, we focus our resources on Wards 5, 7, and 8 in Washington, DC.

To foster the importance of reading aloud to children, JLW volunteers have read aloud to small groups of children at the Takoma Park Library in DC.

To place age-appropriate books in the homes of children, JLW volunteers have assisted the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) with two of its annual events: STAR Family Program and Letters About Literature.

To provide more books to schools and libraries, with a large emphasis on children from birth to fifth grade, this year, Resolution Read is aiming to give a book to each child registered for the Books from Birth program. This DCPL program aims to get the almost 45,000 eligible kids registered so they can receive a free book each month from birth until they turn five.

As we look toward our next 100 years serving our community, JLW is committed to working with nonprofit organizations that make a significant difference in the area of literacy in the greater metropolitan DC area and to continuing to provide local nonprofit organizations with books and trained volunteers.

Help us grow that number by spreading the word about this important program. Organizations who help promote children's literacy by increasing reading materials in the home, school classrooms and libraries, or improve exposure reading aloud are eligible to apply for our Resolution Read program.

If your organization is interested in receiving books – or if your favorite local nonprofit or a library is in need - please click here to apply: http://bit.ly/2dAi3dm or email resolutionread@jlw.org for more information.

Celebrate for the Season with the Junior League of Washington

From cookie exchanges to cocktail soirees, office events to seasonal lunches, we are sure your December is filled with festive, holiday fun. 

We hope that throughout the month, you can take some time to celebrate and give back with your Junior League of Washington friends. Not only does the League have several holiday-themed social events (like Esprit’s ZooLights meet-up tonight at the National Zoo!), but you can also commemorate the holidays from the comfort of your couch. And don’t forget while you’re doing your holiday shopping – every purchase you make via Amazon Smile supports JLW!

Read on for three fun ways to make December a month to remember with the Junior League of Washington:

Make the season bright for our community partners! From the variety below, there’s something for every schedule or budget.

826DC: Holiday Party Wish List
The 826DC Reading All-Stars Committee is hosting a holiday party for the program’s 60+ students to recognize their hard work building literacy skills across the first half of the school year. Help make the December 17 celebration special by underwriting prizes via the committee’s Amazon Smile wish list; even small donations will have an impact, and using Amazon Smile also donates a portion of sale back to JLW. Gifts may be purchased through December 9; please select “826DC RAS c/o Sarah Akins” as the shipping option, and contact vice chair Sarah Akins with any questions.

A Wider Circle: Family Sponsorship
A Wider Circle's Holiday Giving Program is looking for JLW sponsors to help families with holiday gifts. You can assemble your own JLW team or be matched with other volunteers depending on the family size and request. Drop-offs will be coordinated at JLW HQ and at the AWC site in Silver Spring. Please email chair Heather Brown by early December to sign up.

Calvary Women’s Shelter: Gift Drive
The Calvary Committee is collecting basic staples for its residents: twin and full-sized sheet sets, fleece blankets, pillows, pajamas, bath towels, washclothes, bath robes, slippers, flip flops, gift cards (CVS, Target, Walmart, grocery stores, SmarTrip, movie passes), umbrellas, watches, backpacks, journals, and weekly/monthly planners. Please bring unwrapped items to Headquarters, and reach out to chair Ashley Carter with questions.

CFLS: Adopt-a-Family Holiday Drive
Community Family Life Services has approximately 20 individuals who are still in need of holiday gifts this year. Typical gifts include winter clothing and gift cards. If you or your committee are interested in adopting a child, parent, or entire family, please reach out to 2016.adopt.CFLS@gmail.com by early December.

Folger: Wreaths Across America
The Folger Committee will be participating at Wreaths Across America on Saturday, December 17, at Arlington Cemetery. After the opening ceremony, JLW members will help lay wreaths at tombstones across the cemetery, including the grave of Carlile Patterson Porter, who was a member of the Junior League of Philadelphia and served as an Assistant Staff Director with the Red Cross during WWII. Email chair Kate Abbott for more information.

Horton’s Kids: Clothing Drive
Horton’s Kids is collecting new jackets, hats, and gloves for its students. They specifically need coats in youth sizes M-XL and hats/gloves in all youth sizes, both for boys and girls; these are especially important since many children and older youth lose them throughout the winter season. Contact chair Corey Cook to sign up.

National Rehabilitation Hospital: Toiletry Drive
The NRH Committee is collecting toiletries for the hospital’s patients. Please consider donating unopened bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, mouthwash, and deodorant, as well as toothbrushes, hairbrushes and razors. Items will be collected at Headquarters, and you may contact chair Tarina Charleston with any questions.

Washington School for Girls: Clothing Drive
Scarves, hats, and gloves/mittens are being collected for WSG students. There is also a special request for girls’ tights and socks in navy, steel grey, or white. Please email JLW’s relationship manager Jennie Kronthal with any questions or to donate.

If you’re still in search of the perfect gift for your parents, your boyfriend, or your sister (or anyone), don’t miss JLW Shops! exclusive shopping event at Tuckernuck’s flagship Georgetown store on Thursday, December 8. From 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., you’ll receive a 10% discount on purchases as well as free monogramming. Come thirsty – The Whiskey Library will be sponsoring a complimentary whiskey tasting. Plus, your shopping supports the League! 10% of all sales from the evening will be donated back to JLW.

See Old Town Alexandria in a whole new light – candlelight – on Saturday, December 10, as Junior League of Washington’s Historic Alexandria Docents (HAD) Committee volunteers take you back in time.

Every winter, the historic house museums in Alexandria get dressed up for a colonial-, Civil War-, or Victorian-era Christmas. Candlelight tours, heavily staffed with HAD volunteers, give guests a chance to see several historic properties, including Carlyle House, Gadsby's Tavern, Lee-Fendall House, and the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. Locals and tourists enjoy hot toddies and walk through the museums, where costumed docents share holiday traditions of the past.

The Lee-Fendall House, a HAD favorite, is an historic house museum and garden which has served as home to 37 members of the Lee family and other prominent Virginians. Furnished year-round as a study of mid-19^th century life, the property naturally celebrates a Victorian Christmas. In preparation, HAD volunteers adorn the property with ribbon and greenery, trim the Christmas tree, and set out presents underneath.

The Candlelight Tours raise both funds and exposure for the historic house museums in Alexandria. Hundreds of guests will tour properties in one evening, including many who have never visited any of the properties before. The volume of guests means that JLW volunteers will be essential to helping the program run smoothly. The tours are also a fun way for volunteers to show friends and family what we do. Tour participants as well as museum staff have said they could not have pulled off the annual event without help from JLW and the HAD Committee.

This year’s Candlelight Tours is Saturday, December 10, 4 – 9 p.m. JLW active members who buy a $25 tour ticket and sign in with a JLW member in Market Square will receive a membership credit. Buy your tickets here or via Groupon.

By Jinny Shen, Historic Alexandria Docents Committee