Community Involvement and Programs

Valdosta Junior Service League is making a difference in our community.
The League's purpose is to improve cultural, welfare, recreational, civic, and educational conditions in our community, and to promote volunteerism and cooperation with organizations. Today, it is comprised of more than 100 active members and over 250 associate and lifetime members. Each active League member commits to volunteering 60 placement hours per year.

Placement hours may include committee or service placements with

America's Second Harvest Kids Cafe

Kid's Cafe provides hot meals for local underprivileged children.

Community Partners in Education Reading in Schools

The Converse-Dalton-Ferrell House Restoration and Care Committee

This committee is responsible for facilitating restoration and preservation of this landmark that serves as the League's home. This historic home is available for rental for weddings, receptions, and business events.

The Dept. of Family and Children Services Holiday Adopt a Family in Need program

VJSL's Annual Foster Parents Banquet

This annual event honors the time and commitment given by local foster parents.

Jacobs Ladder Therapeutic Horse Camp

This camp provides therapeutic riding for special needs children.

VJSL's Koats for Kids

This event provides winter coats each year for local children in need.

VJSL Learning Enhancement Grants

Annual grants are awarded to approximately 20 local teachers to enhance classroom educational instruction.

Two Valdosta State University Educational Scholarships

The Cathy Hensley McDonald Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship for a business education major at Valdosta State University awarded in memory of a valued League member. The League's Speech and Hearing Scholarship provides a scholarship to a speech and hearing student at Valdosta State University.

Lowndes Valdosta Arts Commission Shows, Presenters Series, & Student Shows

League members serve as hostesses for LVAC events.

VJSL's School Hearing and Vision Screening

The League provides hearing and vision testing of all local 3rd and 6th grade students.

Salvation Army Holiday Bell Ringing

The United Way Day of Caring

League members participate in the planning and execution of this annual event held at Wild Adventures theme park. This event provides a day of fun and loving attention to local children in need.

Valdosta Technical College's HarvestEd Festival

Each year the Valdosta Junior Service League new class of members takes on a major project. Recent projects have included

A "Tour of Kitchens" by the Class of 2005

This event will be held on March 11, 2006. All proceeds will go to LAMP to renovate their kitchen. The event will be from 10 am to 2 pm and ten kitchens will be included in the tour.

A "Jingle Bell Run" by the Class of 2004

This event raised over $17,000 for Hospice House of South Georgia. The League supplemented these funds for a combined contribution of $25,000, the amount needed to sponsor an entire room at Hospice House. This project became an annual event in the 2005-2006 League year.

A "Special Day for Special Kids" by the Class of 2003

Local businesses donated a percentage of sales in March 2004 in order to raise over $13,000 to provide our community's first handicap accessible playground equipment. These funds provided equipment for McKey Park in northern Lowndes County. Due to the event's success, it was held again in March 2005. The success of the project allowed for similar equipment to be installed in Barber Park in southern Lowndes County.

A Wine Tasting by the Class of 2002

This event raised over $7,000.00 for the Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Center.

"Loving Luggage" by the Class of 2001

A countywide drive was held to provide luggage and other much needed items for local foster children.

A Barbeque Dinner Sales Fundraiser by the Class of 2000

This project benefited the Children's Advocacy Center.

"For the Love of Books" by the Class of 1999

A family fun day was held at Mathis City Auditorium with proceeds providing monetary and book donor support for the South Georgia Regional Library.

Our civic-minded members are dedicated to identifying and meeting our community's future needs. We appreciate your support of our organization.