May 25, 2023
Dear Lifetime, Associate, and Current Members:
We are excited to share our progress on the fundraising efforts for the CDF House renovation. Since the original email announcing the renovation plans, the current VJSL membership voted to approve the renovation, and we are moving forward.
So far, between VJSL Alumni and current membership, we have raised $36,500!
The response from our Alumni and current members has been very encouraging, and we are asking you to please keep it coming!
We have until June 30th to raise the funds, or a large portion of them, in order to lock in the much-reduced renovation costs. It’s now or never to step up and restore our CDF House which stands as a pillar to so many people in the community representing a legacy of women whose sole purpose is to do good for our community and serve others.
You may view the original renovation letter, project plans, and available naming opportunities below.
If you have any questions regarding the campaign or the renovation, please feel free to contact me on my cell phone (229) 563-4929 or my work email at dparrishbennett@langdalelaw.com.
Yours in Service,
Drew Parrish Bennett
2022-2023 President
Valdosta Junior Service League
May 5, 2023
Dear Lifetime, Associate, and Current Members:
As President of the Valdosta Junior Service League (“VJSL”), I wanted to personally reach out to each of you regarding a very urgent need and, unfortunately, email is the best way to accomplish this task quickly. I know you probably receive a ton of emails, but please take the time to read this one in its entirety as it pertains to each of us. For those of you who attended the April 30th meeting, I apologize for being repetitive, but I wanted to provide a brief summary for the ladies that were not able to attend as well as some important updates.
As most of you are aware, the Converse Dalton Ferrell House (“CDF House”) has not been renovated since the 1980s and currently only has one working bathroom. Last year, our Board decided to face the issue of the House head-on, so we began focusing our efforts on getting inspections and paying off our loan from the 2017 Great Leak which stood at roughly $172,000.00.
Fast forward to now, we have partnered with IPG Architects, Inc. (“IPG”), who have graciously agreed to spearhead a renovation to the CDF House. IPG donated their time, money, and resources to have the CDF House inspected by various professionals and then created a detailed renovation plan. They then oversaw the bidding process and ultimately chose Kellerman Construction (“Kellerman”), a reputable contractor with ample experience working on historic homes. In fact, Kellerman is currently working on the Wisenbaker Wells Roberts House renovation for the Valdosta Heritage Foundation.
As you can see from the enclosed renovation overview, the project costs $350,880.00 which includes contingencies, payments to Kellerman, and all permitting fees. This plan not only restores and updates the rooms and back stairwell damaged by the Great Leak, but it also provides us with much-needed electrical and plumbing updates, not to mention SIX working bathrooms, one of which is ADA Compliant!!! This is huge and such a great opportunity for us. In fact, after reviewing the plan and hearing about the SIX working bathrooms, our current membership erupted in applause. We have had so much interest over the years with people in the community wanting to use the house, but our facilities simply could not accommodate them; but now, with this much-needed renovation, we would have a fully functional house!
Why does this matter? This past year, I have had representatives from the Valdosta Heritage Foundation, the Chamber, the City, the County, etc., reach out to me regarding their desire for VJSL to keep the CDF House and preserve it, with their full support. There are big plans for downtown Valdosta and, if we can get our House back to its former glory, then we can be a big part of that effort. Now that we have someone to manage the renovation (Free of Cost), an experienced contractor to perform the work, and the actual costs, we are reaching out to current members and alumni to help us accomplish this task. I am very happy to report that thanks to the very hard work of our membership, with the help of our alumni of course, we have raised sufficient funds to pay off the loan! This shows that when we work together, we can accomplish BIG things.
We have until June 30th to raise the funds, or a large portion of them, in order to lock in this much reduced renovation cost. These prices have been vetted by IPG and are extremely reduced thanks to Kellerman’s generosity. Kellerman has agreed to hold this price for us, but they cannot do so for long. It’s now or never to step up and restore our CDF House which stands as a pillar to so many people in the community representing a legacy of women whose sole purpose is to do good for our community and serve others. Below, you will find a QR Code where you can donate directly, one click and you’re there. And remember, VJSL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which means that you will be eligible to receive tax deductions for your contribution.
As a thank you to each individual who donates, we intend to add a plaque inside the CDF House recognizing each person who assists in this renovation. In addition to the plaque, those individuals and/or groups who wish to donate larger sums will be given the chance to purchase naming opportunities at the CDF House. The naming opportunities will be memorialized by individual plaques at various locations thanking the donor(s) for her/their dedication to the Valdosta Junior Service League and efforts to restore the CDF House during the 2023 Renovation.” The following naming opportunities are available:
| ITEM | QUANTITY | AVAILABLE | DONATION |
| Single Windows | 38 | 37 | $1,000 |
| Board Table Chairs | 13 | 13 | $2,000 |
| Triple Windows | 5 | 5 | $2,500 |
| Built-in China Cabinet | 1 | 1 | $3,000 |
| Fireplace Mantels | 12 | 10 | $3,000 |
| Piano | 1 | 0 | $5,000 |
| Board Table | 1 | 1 | $6,000 |
| Staircase | 2 | 2 | $7,500 |
| ITEM | QUANTITY | AVAILABLE | DONATION |
| Upstairs Bathrooms | 4 | 4 | $10,000 |
| Downstairs Bathrooms | 2 | 2 | $15,000 |
| Upstairs Bedroom | 7 | 6 | $20,000 |
| Downstairs Sitting Rooms | 3 | 3 | $25,000 |
| Downstairs Parlors | 2 | 2 | $30,000 |
| Downstairs Boardroom | 1 | 1 | $35,000 |
| Upstairs Meeting Room | 1 | 1 | $35,000 |
Some spots are limited as indicated above, so please be sure to reach out immediately if you have a particular interest in any one of the above-mentioned opportunities. Importantly, all funds raised in this campaign will go solely to the renovation of the CDF House.
While our current membership has shown that it can handle our annual League financial obligations along with paying on a loan, they should not have to handle it alone so we are hopeful that each of you will feel led to assist. We have a fantastic network of ladies and there is strength in numbers! If every alumni donated a minimum of $875.00, we could pay for the renovation entirely. I truly believe that once the renovation occurs, the CDF House will be in a manageable state such that current membership can handle annual updates and fixes and would not need to reach out to alumni again. In fact, IPG and Kellerman have agreed to formulate an annual checklist for us once the renovation is complete and I intend to personally set protections in place to assure that we can be self-sufficient moving forward. If you have any questions regarding the campaign or the renovation, please feel free to contact me on my cell phone (229) 563-4929 or my work email at dparrishbennett@langdalelaw.com.
It has been over forty years since the CDF House was updated, so it’s time. These figures will not last, and the price of materials is constantly changing so, we are asking for you to “call to arms” now! Please follow the QR Code and help us! With your help, we CAN do it!
Yours in Service,
Drew Parrish Bennett
2022-2023 President
Valdosta Junior Service League
Checks may be mailed to:
Valdosta Junior Service League
305 N Patterson St, Valdosta, GA 31601
All of our mail is picked up by a VJSL Board member.
We are so grateful for your support and generosity!
