SUMMIT, NJ -The Junior League of Summit (JLS) awarded $40,000 in grants to local community agencies and organizations at their March Membership Meeting on Tuesday, March 19 at Marco Polo Restaurant in Summit.
The 2012-2013 grants fund a variety of impressive projects in the area. Representatives from the thirteen organizations that received the awards were at the event. A total of 21 organizations applied for the grants. Shannon Vick was this year’s Community Assistance Chair. Past and present committee members agree that it is difficult to choose recipients with so many deserving projects.
Dr. Leslie Sanders, Medical Director of Overlook Hospital's Eating Disorders Program received a $5,000 grant for Overlook Foundation: Hungry for Health: Nourishing our Children-Eating Disorder Program for Children 8-12. She spoke about the program at Overlook and pointed out that it is the only one in the state for teens and young adults. She said she appreciates that young people can be treated with their own age group and in their local community. They are receiving calls for children under 12 and the grant will enable them to serve the younger population with a 40 hour a week program that involves deep family commitment. She thanked The Junior League of Summit for the “generous, generous, donation.”
Karen Olson from Family Promise: Reorganization of Family Promise Affiliate in Union County accepted an award from The JLS for $13,500. She explained how the grant will allow their organization to re-establish their services to the homeless members of Union County enabling families to be together and move toward sustainable independence. She said, “Homelessness is a symptom of poverty and 40 percent of homeless persons are families.” The program will begin again on June 1 and will serve 250 persons per year.
Janet Smith and Marian Glenn were on hand to accept a $2,500 grant for Summit Achieve Community Garden. Marian said that she was “very excited.” Dominic Prophete from CASA Child Advocacy Project accepted a grant of $2,000.00. He said that the grant signifies how caring supports the work of CASA.
Heather Speas, President of The Junior League of Summit, commented about the meeting and the opportunity to award grants, “I’m excited, it’s a fun night.” She also said that the members were able to see the effects of their fundraising efforts throughout the year when grants are given.
In May, at the Junior League’s Annual Dinner, three $5,000 scholarships will be awarded also. Approximately fifty members of The JLS attended the meeting and were proud to award the grants. Kendall Hander, Recording Secretary for the JLS said, “I love being in The Junior League of Summit.”
The JLS is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The JLS is focused on advancing the interests of children and families in and around the communities of Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence and Summit, New Jersey.
The JLS has recently concentrated its financial and human capital on “Be Fit, Be Fine: Promoting Health and Wellness for Children in our Community.” JLS Grant applications become available annually on Labor Day. The deadline is always Nov. 1. For more information on the Junior League of Summit and their programs, please visit their website at
www.jlssummit.org.
