For Immediate Release:
January 15, 2010
Media Contact:
Jamie Schmaltz
President
Junior League of Wichita
316-655-7845
zackem@cox.net
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WICHITA, INC. CELEBRATES 85 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
Wichita, KS— Today, Junior League of Wichita, Inc. (JLW) proudly marks its 85th anniversary.
Since 1925, Junior League of Wichita members have worked to build a better Wichita.
JLW is commemorating our anniversary by reinforcing our long-standing commitment to the
community by working with more non-profit service agencies this year than ever before. Each
month will celebrate a past project – by working with a contemporary agency filling a similar
need. Some of the agencies we will work with this year include: Komen Wichita Race for the
Cure, Youthville, Kansas Children’s Service League, and Habitat for Humanity.
JLW was founded in 1925 by Mrs. Standish Hall, a woman who saw problems in her community
and organized a group of her friends to make a difference. Mrs. Hall saw many critical needs in
the Wichita community – impoverished children, military needing support, and struggling
families.
Today’s JLW members seek to help with many of the same issues dealt with 85 years ago.
JLW has continued to thrive and grow, though communities change the organization has
remained relevant. President Jamie Schmaltz notes, “Despite challenging economic times, the
women in our community continue to rise to the challenge of helping people who need it the
most. I encourage all the women in Wichita to volunteer at least once this year in a place that is
meaningful to you – your children’s school, your local library, a soup kitchen, your place of
worsip, - and experience the joy of community service.”
Since its founding in 1925, JLW has contributed in excess of $5.7 million in the form of
community projects to the Wichita community. In addition, over $31 million cumulative dollars
have been donated back into the Wichita community in the form of volunteer hours.
Junior League of Wichita, Inc. 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.
Junior League of Wichita, Inc. reaches out to women of all races, religions,
and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to voluntarism.
More information about JLW and its community projects may be found at www.jlwichita.org.
-JLW-
T 316.682.7473,
6402 E. 12th Street, Wichita, Kansas 67206-1306
F 316.682.3901, admin@jlwichita.kscoxmail.com, www.jlwichita.org
JLW THROUGH THE YEARS: A TIMELINE OF SELECTED PROJECTS
The following are highlights of select Junior League of Wichita projects since 1925
1925
19251926
Junior League of Wichita, Inc. was founded with 10 charter members as the 51 st Junior
League in the United States.
Free Milk and Ice program: members provided weekly cars and drivers to take nurses
and social workers to visit the ill and poor, deliver free milk and ice to needy babies and
drive mothers and children to medical services.
1926
Junior League Day Nursery: built a new day nursery.
1932
Junior League Salvage Shop: opened a resale shop serving the community by providing
clothing, toys and household good to the community; remained open for 76 years.
1940
Dental Clinic: assisted children needing dental care; donated to the Segwick County
Board of Health in 1945.
1952
Toy Lending Library: serviced over 400 children per week, fully staffed and funded by
JLW members. Grew to three Wichita locations.
1969
Juvenile Court Volunteer Program: formed to work one-on-one with children on
probation.
1976
Heritage Square Park: JLW’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated by raising money for the
funding of Heritage Square, a “park for the people.”
1982
Ronald McDonald House: JLW supported Accent on Kids, Inc. in efforts to establish a
Ronald McDonald House in Wichita, obtaining funding for two homes to be purchased and
established as a home-away-from-home for families of ill children.
1990
Komen Wichita Race for the Cure®: JLW started the first Komen co-ed race with over
1,400 participants, the largest first year road race in Kansas history.
1999
Pride of the Plains: JLW’s 75th Anniversary gift was the Price of the Plains exhibit at the
Sedgwick County Zoo.
2000’s
Share a Story; Reading Rocks; Money Talks; Building Libraries, Changing Minds;
Eyes for Others; Gourmet Guy; Critter Campus; Nature Explorers: JLW partners with
a broad variety of community partners in the 2000’s, including KPTS, Wichita Public
Schools, Wichita Public Libraries, Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas, Girls Scouts of the
Golden Plains, Anthony Family Shelter, Harbor House, Holy Savior Catholic Academy,
Envision, Judge Riddel Boys Ranch, Kansas Humane Society, and Rainbows United.
T 316.682.7473,
6402 E. 12th Street, Wichita, Kansas 67206-1306
F 316.682.3901, admin@jlwichita.kscoxmail.com, www.jlwichita.org