Volunteers Mark a Century of Service

Members of the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills (JLOSH) held a day of mass volunteering to celebrate the group's 100 years of community service. 

In Maplewood and South Orange children’s literacy and clothing were the priority.

Members sorted through donated books for book pantries and a summer reading camp, working with Karen Weiland, Director of the Parenting Center in the South Orange - Maplewood school district. She has taken on the challenge of providing each school with a “take home and keep” book pantry for those children who do not have books to call their own. 

JLOSH also stocked a new wardrobe with gently used clothing at Reunity House run by FAMILYConnections in South Orange. There, families separated due to abuse and neglect  have a safe environment in which can work towards being reconnected.  In addition to providing therapeutic care, FAMILYConnections will often provide clothing to the children of these families. 

JLOSH President Kate Lee commented: "For the past century, the women of JLOSH have been building better communities.  What better way to pay homage to that legacy than by revisiting some of those programs which have made our communities stronger and better?

"The day, which we called our March Volunteer Madness, featured immediate-impact projects to more complex projects that will literally change the way people live.  We want to thank all the organizations who made this day possible by opening their doors to us once again."

The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, Inc. is an organization of women developed as civic and community leaders creating lasting community impact.  JLOSH provides service to East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Orange, Short Hills, South Orange, Springfield and West Orange.  It reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins.  Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.  To learn more about JLOSH, visit www.jlosh.org or find it on Facebook.

 Several local businesses also donated goods and services to support the event. Sherwin Williams (Springfield) donated paint and JMP Painting (Summit) donated painting services for the renovation projects.  Shop Rite (East Orange) donated breakfast items for the breakfast bag assembly project.