GIVE BACK EVENT for SAN ANTONIO JUNIOR FORUM
A HUGE SUCCESS!
Thank you to all of our members who contributed to our first
Kendra Scott fundraiser!
Kendra Scott partnered with San Antonio Junior Forum to host
Kendra Scott Gives Back!
Friends and family shopped in-store May 5, 2023 from 12:00-2:00 pm at
The Quarry Village, 310 E Basse Road, Suite 101. SA, TX, 78209.
Many also shopped online at www.kendrascott.com May 5th & 6th, 2023.
The store provided refreshments and a host of staff to serve.
A pretty table of Cinco de Mayo decorations added a festive touch to the decor.
As well as fashion jewelry, the store also sells beautiful fine jewelry,
and home accessories.
Kendra Scott is a philanthropist with a history of supporting
women and children's charities. We were proud to be
chosen as one of her philanthropic partners.
From all the ladies at San Antonio Junior Forum, thank you for helping to support
grants to nonprofits, scholarships to high school seniors,
and service projects for nonprofits
in the San Antonio region!
San Antonio Junior Forum Grants Announcement
Each year, SAJF distributes grants to nonprofits in the San Antonio
region for specific projects that will benefit
economically, emotionally, and/or physically
disadvantaged individuals.
This year, we are pleased to announce
that we will distribute $75,000 to 22 nonprofits
in our community! The following
is a list of those that will receive funding:
Aid the Silent
Alamo Area Mutual Housing Association
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio
Culturingua
disABILITYsa
Each One Teach One
Friends of Cibolo Wilderness
Haven for Hope of Bexar County
Kinetic Kids, Inc.
Reaching Maximum Independence
Respite Care of San Antonio Inc.
Restore Education
San Antonio Food Bank, Inc.
San Antonio Lifetime Recovery, Inc.
San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired
San Antonio Philharmonic
St. Vinnys Bistro
Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin
The Children's Shelter - Nurse Family Partnership
The Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health
Triple H Equitherapy
Youth Center of Texas
Questions?
Contact SAJF VP Grants at grants@sajuniorforum.org.
Click Here to go to the Grant's page
Volunteer Membership Meet & Greet
We had a great start to the 2022-2023 year with a simplified schedule,
upbeat meetings, and contributions from both our Actives and Sustainers
to our Service projects! In November, the Actives
celebrated friendship and appreciation at a full Thanksgiving
meal at our annual Friendsgiving dinner. Our Actives holiday celebration
in December included spouses and significant others,
a pot-luck feast and gift exchange. New members be warned that you may
need to master the "left right game" at this afternoon event!
In January and February, SAJF Actives and Sustainer Grants and
Scholarship Committees were hard at work preparing recommendations
for funding of nonprofits and scholarship students. Any member is welcome
to sit in on Committee meetings to experience our processes at work!
February brought the opportunity for our President, JFI Secretary and JFI
Representative to meet with other Junior Forum Chapters
from across Texas for the Annual JFI Board Meeting. Any member is welcome to
join in the fun! In March, the Grants Committee
has organized site visits and grant check presentations to the
many nonprofit organizations funded by SAJF this year. These visits are
a great way for members to learn about the important work of
many of our nonprofits in San Antonio. In
April, the Scholarship Committee will host a reception
for students receiving scholarships from SAJF in the 2023-2024 academic year
where members will get to hear from graduating high school seniors
about their plans for the future. On May 5, 2023, SAJF
will host a fundraiser with Kendra Scott at
The Quarry Village from 12:00-2:00 pm! Join us
for trinkets and treats at this very important event!
But stay tuned! Service projects and activities are always being
added to our calendar to welcome new members and
cement our common interests in serving the San Antonio community.
There is always room for a little fun with fellow volunteers!
Interested in finding out more about SAJF?
contact Sharon at membership@sajuniorforum.org!
SAJF is unlike any other Women's organization. We don't support just one single cause, but reach out in many ways to make an impact in our community.
Want to be involved in funding nonprofits through grants, selecting
high school students to receive scholarships, or participating in varied
service projects throughout the community?
If the answer is yes, then this is the organization for you.
Join us at one of our monthly meetings or volunteer at our
next community service project!
In October, the ladies of SAJF hosted a collection drive to support Soldiers' Angels "Holiday Stockings for Heroes". Actives and Sustainers collected small gifts from a list of suggested items that Soldiers' Angels provided. At our General meeting October 18th, we stuffed the stockings and in late November, will deliver them to the Soldiers' Angels headquarters here in San Antonio. Donated stockings are shipped to service members deployed to combat zones or those in combat operations and veteran patients in VA Hospitals across the country. The stockings will also be shared with National Guard and Reserve Units across the country. The ladies of SAJF hope that receiving a stuffed stocking will help to brighten the spirits of deployed service members and veterans this holiday season. On December 6th, SAJF ladies will deliver 30 holiday stockings!
On December 13, 2022, the women of SAJF volunteered to support ChildSafe's Winter Work Shop by wrapping donated gifts chosen by parents for their children at holiday time. It is very gratifying to know that ChildSafe is looking out for the children of our community at this holiday time. It is hoped that such acts of kindness will somehow ease the stress and trauma of abuse that children utilizing the facility have undergone. Treating and helping families heal is a cause near and dear to many members of SAJF.
February 21, 2023 SAJF members supported For Her by hosting a donation drive at our General Meeting. For Her is a nonprofit organization in San Antonio that works to empower women to move beyond trauma and transform their lives. They serve teen mothers, foster youth aging out of the system, LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants and women who fall below the poverty line, survivors of domestic and sexual violence and formerly incarcerated women. SAJF women will provide incentives for women attending "Her Circle" or "Her Table" events that provide an opportunity for women to connect over good food and meaningful conversation. The hope is that encouragement and accountability for personal growth along with licensed professional counseling will support the efforts of women to lead a more self-sustained life.
February 9-26, 2023 SAJF members volunteered their time at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo! As Gate Greeters, ladies welcomed guests to the Rodeo Fairgrounds at the entry gates, scanned each guest's barcode for entry, and shared guest information services locations. Shifts were four hours in length between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. Ladies signed up online for the shifts they wanted to work. Free parking passes and 2 free single day entry tickets were incentives for participating. SAJF will receive community service hours and the Stock Show and Rodeo offered SAJF a donation of $50.00/person for every 4 four shift worked as a Gate Greeter. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help educate the youth of Texas!
April 22-23, 2023, SAJF ladies will support UTSA Arts Community Arts Programs by volunteering at Fiesta Arts Fair! This yearly event offers our community the opportunity to view or purchase contemporary and traditional arts and craft from over 100 national artists. Live national and regional music, food and beverage booths and a youth art area are featured. SAJF ladies will work in the Children's Art Garden assisting artists and/or at beverage booths around the property. Ladies can choose to volunteer for 3 hour periods of their choice during the festival.
May 16, 2023 SAJF members will assemble Grab & Go Bags and Personal Hygiene Kits for parents and children residing at Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio. Ladies will donate items and assemble kits at the May General meeting. Volunteers will deliver kits to Ronald McDonald House San Antonio prior to May 31st. Items for Personal Hygiene Kits include travel sized toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap or hand lotion. Items for Grab-N-Go-Bags include oranges, small bottles of water, granola bars, cheese & cracker packages, and individually wrapped candy. These supplies can provide a home-away-from-home for families with critically ill and injured children receiving essential medical services in San Antonio.
Interested? Contact service@sajuniorforum.org!
How Giving to Others Makes You Healthier and Happier
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. The right match can help you to reduce stress, find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. Giving to others can also help protect your mental and physical health. Learn more about the many benefits of helping others and find tips on getting started.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. Volunteering and helping others can help you reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose.
Benefits of volunteering
4 ways to feel healthier and happier
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Volunteering connects you to others
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Volunteering is good for your mind and body
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Volunteering can advance your career
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Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life
Name Your Scholarship!
Interested in sponsoring a scholarship student this year?
Opportunities exist for donors that want to sponsor a SAJF scholarship to name the scholarship.
Scholarships are often named after a loved one who in their lifetime was a promoter of higher education.
SAJF will select a student with the donor's specifications in mind.
Donors will be invited to attend a reception in hour of the award and to meet the candidate chosen.
Interested in learning more?
Contact the VP Scholarships at scholarships@sajuniorforum.org
Upcoming Events:
June 16, 2023 - Board Retreat - 10:00 am @ Sharon's
July and August 2023 - Board and General meetings cancelled but call us for coffee!
August 8, 2023 - Board Meeting @ Andrea's
August 15, 2023 - General Meeting @ UUMC "The Loft"
Stay tuned for more opportunities to support those in need in our community with the ladies of SAJF!
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