JLEFC Presents Volunteer-A-Thon, Oct. 12 & 13

Fairfield County, CT — The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County (JLEFC) is proud to announce its first-ever Volunteer-a-thon, taking place on October 12 and 13. JLEFC members will aid both long-standing and brand-new partners with 26.2 straight hours of volunteer work. The starting horn will sound at noon on Friday, October 12, during a kick-off ceremony at the Burr Homestead in Fairfield, where JLEFC members, partners, and members of the media will set the first wave of volunteers into action. Said JLEFC President Ashley Welker, “We are so excited for our first Volunteer-a-thon. It’s a unique opportunity to ask our partners exactly what they need from us—and then give it to them over one amazing marathon of a weekend. These 26.2 hours are the first of many that we’re thrilled to give to these worthy organizations.”

The JLEFC has a long history of community outreach, partnering with such organizations as Operation Hope, which serves Fairfield County with a food pantry, homeless services, and affordable housing; and Read to Grow, whose Books for Babies and Books for Kids programs promote literacy from birth. Last year, JLEFC members collected nearly 5,000 books for Read to Grow, and provided more than 1,000 meals to Operation Hope. The JLEFC will support these crucial organizations during the Volunteer-a-thon by preparing donated books for distribution for Read to Grow, and spending several hours cooking meals for Operation Hope. Says Carla Miklos, Executive Director of Operation Hope, “For years, the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County has given us many hours of their time and thousands of meals for our community. We’re delighted to be a part of their first-ever Volunteer-a-thon, and we are so thankful for the Junior League’s dedication to those we serve.”

The Volunteer-a-thon marks the beginning of several new community partnerships for the JLEFC. New partner organizations include the Cardinal Shehan Center, which enriches the lives of youth with recreational and educational programs; the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, which serves those facing poverty, addiction, and homelessness; the Cyrenius H. Booth Library in Newtown; and Caroline House, which provides women and children with English-language and other educational programs. During the Volunteer-a-thon, JLEFC members will assemble information packets for the Cardinal Shehan Center; catalog and photograph archival materials at the Booth Library; prepare for and staff the Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s tagless sale; and complete needed maintenance at Caroline House with painting projects. “Our programs push women to succeed using English language and essential life skills—like financial literacy and job interview techniques—while their children acquire developmental and school-readiness skills,” said Caroline House’s Executive Director, Lucy Freeman. “The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County is helping us provide these services in an environment that is bright and welcoming. We are grateful for their help and commitment to our community.”

To learn more about the Volunteer-a-thon, or to participate by joining the JLEFC, visit jlefc.org or call the JLEFC office at (203) 259-9995. New Member Open Houses are scheduled for September 20 and October 4. Visit jlefc.org/membership/new-member-open-houses/ to learn more and register.

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The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County is proud to support the following communities: Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Newtown, Redding, Shelton, Southport, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, and Westport. It is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Corporate sponsorships and other revenue producing efforts support all JLEFC programs. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For further information please contact us at jlefc@snet.net or (203) 259-9995. The JLEFC office is located at the Burr Homestead, 739 Old Post Road, Fairfield and at jlefc.org.

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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