Junior Welfare League helping out

By Lynn Petry
lynn.petry@newsday.com

The Junior Welfare League of Huntington’s goal is, “to provide assistance to their struggling neighbors, while enabling them to maintain their anonymity, their independence and their dignity.” Recently, with a donation to the Huntington Department of Parks and Recreation they did just that, by giving more than 250 children ages 7-12 a chance to attend Project Play Camp 2007.

Project Play, which started in the mid-70s, is held at one of the schools in the Huntington school district and is run by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Those that are chosen to attend, based on a family income criteria, enjoy an array of activities, including arts and crafts, outdoor events and field trips. The camp runs for 6 weeks and is overseen by Park Director Don McKay and Project Play’s coordinator Margaret Breland, along with other assistant coordinators and counselors. According to McKay, “the camp is trying to enhance the educational component of the experience, to give the children a fun summer, along with some learning tools to prepare them for the upcoming school year.”

The Junior Welfare League of Huntington, which was founded in 1933 by seven women, funded $7,500 of that camp dream and continues to raise funds for other worthy causes, including holiday charities, health care funds, and what they considered their most important operation, “The Lift Fund” which is a one-time, emergency financial boost which provides monies to pay hospital, medical and dental bills, mortgage or rent payments, food, clothing, utility bills and other expenses to an otherwise normally independent family who might be going through an unexpected crisis.

The League raises funds through events and fundraisers year round. This year will conclude with “A Taste of the Town,” hosted by Appliance World in the Village of Huntington on Nov. 3. The event features tastings and samplings of food prepared from local restaurants, along with raffles, live music, wine and beer, this gathering will benefit their Holiday Charities fund which includes “adopting” local families to provide them with the necessary food, clothing and all the trimmings for a happy holiday.

Early next year in February 2008, The League will host their Winter Gala to celebrate their 75th anniversary with a black tie dinner at the Oheka Castle, with proceeds going toward “The Lift Fund.” A Spring Luncheon will be held on March 27 at the Crescent Club and their annual Wine Soiree with food, live music and raffle baskets available for purchase on June 7 at the historic Vanderbilt Mansion. For information on any of these events or how to become a member of the Junior Welfare League of Huntington or for sponsorship information, email The League at jrwelfareleague@yahoo.com. The League depends solely on voluntary support and donations, enabling 100 percent of their proceeds to be returned to the people of Huntington.