Living
Junior League of Bell County helps children S.M.I.L.E.
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 by Keith Bahlmann
Members of the Junior League of Bell County include, Shelly Owens, Kim White, Rhiannon Williams, Stacie Bratton, Pam Lanham, Kelly Anderson, Nikki Morrow, Amber Houmes, Natasha Roderick, Kristin Seholm and Kerri Leigh Stump.The Junior League of Bell County's Project S.M.I.L.E. held their monthly event at the McLane Children's Hospital at Scott & White on February 28, 2012. The themed event, "Sustainer Sock Hop & Story Time" honored the JLBC's sustaining members. Jeanne Cunningham of Cunningham Real Estate, a JLBC sustainer herself, sponsored this very special event for the league.
The event was a time for the children to have fun and express themselves. In the Mood Ballroom provided an instructor to help the children learn dance moves from the 50s and listen to the Rock & Roll of the era. The children enjoyed a hula hoop contest, table top car drag races, a giant inflatable bowling set and old fashion floats. They also spent time designing their own cool sunglasses and rocking out with inflatable guitars. In remembrance of the impact the founding JLBC sustainers made to the league and to Bell County, the children each received the book, The Littlest Volunteers by Danielle Speckhart.
Part of the JLBC mission is to help with the development and well-being of children in Bell County area through community service. Project S.M.I.L.E. (Sharing Moments in Laughter and Encouragement) is a grassroots community program initiated in 2011 by the Junior League of Bell County. Through this newly developed program, JLBC welcomes families to the Children's Hospital at Scott and White through welcome bags, encourages children through entertaining monthly events, and serves the children and families through additional volunteer opportunities.
The Junior League is comprised of active, sustainer and provisional members. Active members serve JLBC through a committee or council, contributing volunteer hours in the community and supporting the fundraising efforts of the signature project. Sustainers are those members who no longer serve JLBC through an active placement, but instead offer support through guidance, advice and a financial commitment. Provisionals are new members participating in a training program to learn more about the Junior League.
