An Art Filled Afternoon at National Museum of Women in the Arts

On Sunday, Feb. 21, Esprit and the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) committees hosted a tour and brunch for JLW members. Attendees saw works by Frida Kahlo, Sarah Bernhardt, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun and many other great women artists. One of the tours was lead by NMWA Chair, Lori Vitelozzi.

Junior League members discuss portraiture and the work in the center, Young Woman Seated in the Shade of a Tree by Antoine Cecile Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot.
Photo Credit: Sarah Bryant

You too can visit works by these artists and many more at National Museum of Women in the Arts. This Washingtonian gem is located at 1250 New York Ave, NW. The museum has recently offered a discounted supporter level membership to all JLW volunteers. Membership at NMWA includes free admission to the museum, exclusive events, discounts at the museum shop and many other benefits. The membership is also fully tax deductible. Click here to purchase your membership today. We hope you can visit NMWA soon and support the museum as they champion women through the arts.

All Things Tossed & Found 2016

Rummage donations, special events and sale weekend, oh my! Tossed & Found is in full gear, and we are so excited for the 24th annual sale, Thursday through Sunday, March 18-20.

This email is your one-stop shop for all things Tossed & Found.

Please visit our JLW page for more information and updates on Tossed & Found.

Drop-off Information and Requirements
Tossed & Found is in a new location this year, and the committee can't wait to show it off.

Drop-off Location
Crystal City - 1225 S. Clark Street, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

Drop-off Dates
Sunday, Jan. 31 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 13 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 14 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 17 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 20 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 21 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 24 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Donation Reminders

• All actives & new members are required to donate $50 worth of rummage. Donations should include at least $35 of non-clothing items such as furniture, housewares, books, etc.
• Please bring two completed forms with your rummage donation; one will be for your records. Click here for the donation form.
• Click here for the Tossed & Found price list.
• Make sure all donated items are clean and in good working condition.
• Use your best judgment: If an item really needs to be thrown away, please do so. Our quality is what brings shoppers back year after year.
• We gladly accept shopping bags and hangers.

What to Donate

We accept furniture, antiques, housewares, flat screen TVs, books, jewelry, brand name handbags, baby items and clothing for men, women and children.

What NOT to Donate

We do not accept the following items:

• corporate logo items,
• shoes,
• work-out clothing,
• swimsuits,
• torn or soiled clothing,
• computer monitors or tube TVs,
• outdated textbooks and travel books,
• broken electronics,
• refrigerators, dishwashers, washers/dryers or
• children's items that do not meet current FDA or safety standards.

Mighty Men Furniture Pick-Ups

For the first time, Tossed & Found's Mighty Men pick-up is proud to partner with Zippy Shell Storage and Moving. If you have large furniture donations, please request a Mighty Man pick-up by Friday, Feb. 12 by emailing mightymansignup@gmail.com. Please submit this form with your request.

Volunteer Shift Sign-up

Tossed & Found sale weekend wouldn't be the success it is without our JLW members volunteering for move-in, working shifts, shopping during sale weekend and winding down with move-out.

Please sign up here for a volunteer shift. Working a shift is worth one membership credit!

Note: New Members are required to volunteer for one shift.

Sale Weekend

Join us sale weekend for quality pre-owned housewares, fashion, books, sporting goods, electronics and furniture. Thousands of items will be sold at unbelievable prices! Proceeds from Tossed & Found are used to support JLW's Mission of improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Tossed & Found's grand opening is Friday, Mar. 18, at the Hoops & High Heels event (see Special Events below).

General shopping hours are as follows:

Saturday, Mar. 19, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, Mar. 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cash or check will be accepted for purchases on March 19 and 20. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted at Hoops & High Heels on March 18.

Note: The JLW strives in all endeavors to be sensitive to the special needs of its members and guests. If you have any special needs pertaining to attendance of this event, please email tossedandfound@jlw.org.

Special Events

Click here to purchase tickets!

Note: Attendance at each Special Event earns a JLW membership credit.

Diamonds & Dessert

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Crystal City Shops - 1625 Crystal Square Arcade, Crystal City Underground; Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

Join us at Tossed & Found's kickoff event! For the 2nd year in a row, we are excited to host the party in Crystal City in order to meet growing demand. Just in time for Valentine's Day, we are thrilled that Kendra Scott jewelry will be for sale at the event with 20% of all sale proceeds going back to the League. Come enjoy a memorable evening of sips, sweets, music and sparkles! JLW members, friends and dates welcome.

Tickets: $25 advance; $30 at the door. Click here to purchase.

*Can't get enough fabulous Tossed & Found Events? Purchase a combo ticket for Diamonds & Dessert and Hoops & High Heels and save $10. Combo ticket is available for purchase until Tuesday, Feb. 9. Click here to purchase.

Children's Trunk Show

Date: Saturday, Mar. 5, 2016

Time: Early Access 8:30 - 10 a.m.; Main Sale 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Location: Crystal City (main sale site) - 1225 S. Clark Street, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

The Children's Trunk Show is fun for the whole family! The popular annual event will feature quality pre-owned children's items including clothes, nursery furniture, high chairs, swings, books and toys and will include fabulous vendors including:

• Wren Riley by Amy Riley
• Arbonne by Heidi Miller
• thirty-one by Erin Krekeler
• Children's author & illustrator Sherry Hickey

Tickets: A limited number of Early Access tickets are available for $20 per adult. Main sale tickets are $10 per adult. Kids are FREE! Click here to purchase.

Hoops & High Heels Party

Date: Friday, Mar. 18, 2016

Time: 7 - 10 p.m.

Location: Crystal City (main sale site) - 1225 S. Clark Street, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

Grab your friends and join Tossed & Found for the grand opening event: the Hoops & High Heels Party! Enjoy a fun-filled evening as you get to be the first to shop for your 'Fabulous Finds.' The event will feature a fantastic live and silent auction of specialty items, luxury services and one-of-a kind getaways. To add to the fun, NCAA March Madness games will be televised coupled with wonderful food and spirited drinks!

Tickets: $45 prior to March 1; $50 after March 1; or $60 at the door. Click here to purchase.

*Can't get enough fabulous Tossed & Found Events? Purchase a combo ticket for Diamonds & Dessert and Hoops & High Heels and save $10. Combo ticket is available for purchase until Tuesday, Feb. 9. Click here to purchase.

Support Tossed & Found

Support the community by purchasing a $40 JLW Community Cash Card!

Your donation provides a JLW community partner, a neighbor in need or a community organization of your choice the opportunity to purchase $40 worth of items at our 2016 sale. The cards will be distributed by a member of the Tossed & Found Committee to these deserving groups. The cards are redeemable for merchandise only, have no cash value and are only valid on the weekend of the 2016 Tossed & Found sale (Mar. 19-20, 2016).

CPC Fridge Funds to Help Furnish 826DC’s “Magical” New HQ

826DC completed its move to a new headquarters with a kickoff event Nov. 14. The Columbia Heights facility will help the JLW community partner grow the number of students served by its literacy and writing programs, which include hosting after-school tutoring, field trips for local schools, and creative and expository writing workshops.

JLW is helping with the transition to the new space, as earlier this month the Community Placement Council voted to approve a $1,000 “fridge fund” grant for 826DC, which will be used to purchase comfortable furniture for the teen space in the tutoring and writing center.

The plush seating will make the space more appealing to older students after a long day at school, helping them to be more productive during tutoring sessions.

"Teens have different developmental needs from our younger students, some of which are met by more relaxed seating and a sense of responsibility and autonomy for 'their' space," said Lacey N. Dunham, 826DC's Programs Director. "We're grateful for the Junior League of Washington's support helping us make a welcoming space where teens can further connect with our programming."

The new facility was featured in a Washingtonian.com article last month.

The new space is just across the street from the old location, which included a storefront “Museum of Unnatural History.” The headquarters are now at the historic Tivoli building in Columbia Heights. It now houses a new storefront, Tivoli’s Astounding Magic Supply Co.

"For students, the storefront is an important transition space that carries them from their daily lives to a warm and creative environment. It also inspires our workshops and student writing,” Dunham said.

Attributed to 826DC

826DC is part of the 826 National organization. It opened its D.C. location in 2010 and was a JLW grant recipient before becoming a community partner in incubation. JLW 826DC Committee members volunteer through the Reading All-Stars program, mentoring elementary students on Saturday mornings at Harriet Tubman Elementary in Columbia Heights. Contact Committee Chair Natalie Jennings with questions about the committee.

National Book Fest was a Labor [Day Weekend] of Love for JLW Volunteers

The page has turned on the Library of Congress’ 2015 National Book Festival, and Junior League of Washington volunteers were an important factor in the festival’s success.

This year marked the 15th National Book Festival and the 13th year the JLW supported the event by providing volunteers. This year also represented the 200th anniversary of the Library of Congress’ acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s library, and fittingly, the theme of the festival was “I Cannot Live without Books,” a quote from Jefferson.

Over the course of the day, JLW volunteers saw the festival theme in action as up to 150,000 attendees flooded the Washington Convention Center to meet their favorite authors, interact with librarians from across the country, get books autographed and celebrate their love of books. If that seems like a lot of attendees, it was—the festival doubled its attendance from last year.

Since moving from its original home on the National Mall, and marking the second year at the Washington Convention Center, the festival continues to grow and evolve. It has moved from two days to one action-packed day, and this year, the number of authors at the festival increased to 175, the most in festival history.

The JLW continues to grow alongside the Library of Congress, as it builds upon its relationship with the festival. For the first time, the JLW was featured as a contributor to the festival on the event poster, recognition of the League's ongoing role as the largest providers of volunteers for the festival.

This year, 400 enthusiastic volunteers contributed more than 2,000 hours of service on Sept. 5. The volunteers were in action for an extended day this year, staying until 8 p.m. to manage book signing lines and book sales.

What allows the JLW to continue its partnership with the National Book Festival is the quality of the volunteers. During the festival this year, League women aided librarians from across the country in the Pavilion of States, helped keep the crowds under control in the book sales area, and expertly handed long lines and eager fans in the book signing lines. And if you ever wondered what happens when you cross a children’s author with an astronaut who has walked on the moon, ask the volunteers who were tasked with keeping Buzz Aldrin’s fans in line.

The hard work and positive attitudes displayed by our volunteers did not go unnoticed. Marie Arana, co-director of The National Book Festival and senior advisor to the U.S. Librarian of Congress, said after the festival, “You are the rock on whom we depend! Thanks so much for yet another year of wonderful teamwork. Your members are not only gracious and efficient, you’re all so well informed about books. We love that.”

National Book Festival Co-director Guy Lamolinara said, “[We] could not be more pleased with how the festival unfolded, and this is due in very large measure to the enormous contributions of the JLW… we simply could not have the festival without you. We look forward to 2016.”

JLW even had one festivalgoer stop by the League’s table to share how amazing they thought our volunteers are, and that we don’t get enough credit for what we do. While credit and praise is great, it’s not why we do it. JLW volunteers spent their Labor Day Saturday making sure that everyone—authors, fans and parents with kids—had a great experience at National Book Festival because we know how important it is to promote literacy in our community. JLW volunteers managed crowds with grace and a smile because we understand what Jefferson meant when he wrote, “I Cannot Live without Books,” and if we can make just one other person feel that way, then that makes the festival a success in our book.

JLW Expands Volunteer Support for 2015 National Book Festival

Junior League of Washington Expands Volunteer Support for 2015 National Book Festival

400 Volunteers to Promote Literacy, Donate Time to the Library of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 2, 2015 -- The Junior League of Washington will expand its support of the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival (NBF) this year by providing 400 volunteers, up from 300 in 2014, to assist with the event. This is the 13th year the JLW has provided volunteers to help with various day-of tasks pertaining to the free festival, which is set to attract tens of thousands of attendees on Saturday, Sept. 5.

“The Junior League of Washington is proud of our extended history with the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival. We value the opportunity the festival provides for us to promote the importance of volunteerism while supporting an initiative that highlights the positive impact of books and literacy,” said Junior League of Washington President Cameron Gilreath.

From 2003 to 2014, almost 5,000 JLW volunteers have provided more than 31,000 volunteer hours to the NBF.

“We are committed to using our resources where we can have the largest community impact, which is why we focus on illiteracy, one of the greatest challenges facing the D.C. metro area. Our volunteers look forward to supporting this vibrant, influential event each year, and we are excited to increase our commitment to the Library of Congress and the festival,” Gilreath continued.

Gilreath also notes that the NBF occurs during National Literacy Month.

For the first time in its 13-year partnership, the NBF will highlight the JLW’s role as an important partner on the official festival poster. This is a tremendous opportunity to reflect the significant contributions provided by JLW volunteers. This year, more than 2,500 hours of volunteer service will be provided.

“We are thrilled our partnership with the Library of Congress and the National Book Festival has resulted in an even greater role for the Junior League of Washington,” said Gilreath.

The JLW, along with the Library of Congress, will welcome book enthusiasts and 175 authors to the NBF on Sept. 5. League volunteers are integral to the success of the event, helping attendees navigate the Washington Convention Center, directing patrons through the author and illustrator signing lines, managing traffic flow and answering questions.

“We appreciate the opportunity to grow and evolve alongside the festival, and look forward to once again providing the Library of Congress with an enthusiastic and committed volunteer force,” said Gilreath.

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ABOUT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WASHINGTON
Our Mission: The Junior League of Washington is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Our Focus: Our nearly 2,400 members volunteer at community agencies throughout the Washington Metro area, providing aid where their expertise is needed most. You can find us tutoring a child, mentoring parents at a daycare center for homeless children, serving on community boards, or delivering life skills seminars to community members in recovery programs. Since 1999, the JLW has focused our volunteer resources on literacy issues: adult, child, and cultural.

For more information, please visit www.jlw.org.

Thomas Jefferson Can’t Live Without Books, and Neither Can JLW Volunteers

The 15th annual Library of Congress (LOC) National Book Festival is this Saturday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center. More than 150 authors and illustrators, librarians from across the country, and new activities and presentations guarantee to make this year’s festival a worthwhile event.

Not only is this year the 15th anniversary, but the LOC is also celebrating another big milestone. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the LOC’s acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library. As a tribute to the former president’s collection and love of books, the theme of the 2015 book festival is centered around a quote of Jefferson’s, “I cannot live without books.” This quote and theme is captured in the poster for this year’s festival, which was created by acclaimed illustrator and designer Peter de Sève!

Jefferson isn’t the only one who can’t live without books. By helping provide volunteers for the National Book Festival for the past 13 years, the Junior League of Washington has been able to help promote literacy in its community while assisting in the festival’s success every year. By volunteering at the festival, Junior League volunteers receive the chance to interact with amazing authors, help librarians across the country and make sure festival attendees have the best experience possible.

Some of the new offerings and activities at this year’s National Book Festival are highlighted below, but remember, while the festival continues to change and grow, one thing never changes—it is always a place for people who cannot live without books.

For the Romantics
At 7:15 p.m. National Public Radio’s Petra Mayer will emcee a program devoted to romance fiction, featuring romance authors Sarah MacLean, Beverly Jenkins and Paige Tyler.

Calling All Movie Lovers
At 8 p.m., A. Scott Berg, winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, will give an overview of Sam Goldwyn’s Hollywood and the rise of the film industry while “Washington Post” film critic Ann Hornaday will moderate a panel on the topic.

If you’re a History Buff
From 2:35 to 7:10 p.m., a variety of writers on war will discuss the human side of war and provide a tribute to the American war experience. Award-winning broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw will speak about his book “The Greatest Generation.” Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson will talk about human stories from his Liberation trilogy, National Book Award finalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran and co-author Howard Schultz will discuss their book on veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and West Point Professor Elizabeth Samet will host a discussion with war novelists who have written about Iraq and Afghanistan.

JLW encourages you to tell your family and friends to attend the National Book Festival, or bring them with you when you go! If you want to stay up-to-date on all book festival news and activities, make sure to download the new National Book Festival app, which will include the complete schedule of author presentations, book signing lines and activities. Finally, thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer; your time and dedication is valued and appreciated by all who love books!

How the JLW Got ‘Kids in the Kitchen’

On Saturday, January 10 the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) Community Events Planning
Committee held the first of two Kids in the Kitchen events for 2015. Over 100 DC-area children
– more than double last year’s attendance – visited the Children’s National Medical Center’s
Washington National Diabetes Care Complex for a day of energetic exercise, wholesome
cooking lessons, fun activities, and crafts.

 Highlights of the day included Zumba, which got kids on their feet for some moving and 
shaking. Cooking lessons with local chefs let kids put on their chef’s hats for the day: Black Restaurant Group showed them how to prepare delicious but healthful quesadillas, and
Lindamood-Bell helped kids make tasty fruit and yogurt snacks.

One of the biggest hits of the day was the Build-a-Bug activity: FRESHFARM Markets brought
fresh fruits and veggies for guests to decorate like caterpillars, puppy dogs, and scary monsters –
a souvenir to remind kids that healthy foods can be fun.

Kids also had the opportunity to get creative and hands on, making pasta necklaces with
children’s author Joy Papini, getting their faces painted by talented JLW volunteers, and sampling banana bread from the chefs at the Mayflower Hotel. Other activities taught kids how to “dress up” water to get your 8 glasses a day, and how to make smart decisions about food –
“eat this, not that.”

Thanks to all of our wonderful guests, generous sponsors, and welcoming host, the Children’s
National Medical Center, for helping make Kids in the Kitchen the success that it was. And a big
thank you to our nearly 70 JLW volunteers who braved the cold weather to provide more than
240 volunteer hours in service of this great event.

Bright Beginnings 5K, Register now!

Put your feet in motion at the Bright Beginnings 5K on March 7, 2015, for homeless children and families in DC.

Run, walk, join stroller brigade, or be a virtual runner!

All proceeds from the 5K directly support Bright Beginnings’ programming that prepares young children for kindergarten and helps their families get back on their feet.

Get registered now (here)! Prices go up on January 15!

Can’t make it on race day? You can still help by making a donation (here) to Bright Beginnings.