We had a fantastic turnout at the February Super Saturday! It was a fun filled day of volunteering and learning more about the Junior League of Fort Wayne. We had eight new and potential New Members, and the support from the 14 Active members helped made these women feel welcome.

The day started out with everyone participating in the Done in a Day project of painting at the East Wayne Street Center. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get to know each other while doing tasks that were needed.

During the New Member orientation, Reppard Horne, Executive Director at the East Wayne Street Center, gave us an inspirational speech and tour of their facility all while telling us about the core values and mission of the East Wayne Street Center. It allowed the new members to see how much opportunity for voluntarism and influence there is by being a League member.

JLFW President Connie Heflin then gave a great overview of JLFW. The New Members participated in icebreakers to get to know each other, and activities to better understand League’s history and structure. We finished the day by listening to Sustainer Kathy Roudebush give a motivating speech about her favorite experiences, moments, and values that she feels best describe her Junior League experience.

We are happy to welcome our newest New Members - Susan Makofka, Jenna Monnich, Molly Deane, Kathryn Gentz, Bev Kocher, and Kim Donelan. All New Members will be placed on a committee shortly, so keep your eyes out for them. A big thank you to everyone who made this possible!

By Connie Heflin, JLFW President

For seventy-one years, Junior League of Fort Wayne members have given countless hours of their time, all with the same goal, to improve the community in which we live.

Thank you to each JLFW member as you promote voluntarism by setting an example for others around you, develop your own potential which will further your ability to improve our community, and improve the community through projects like the Women’s Independence Project and Kids In the Kitchen.

JLFW is making a difference on Thursday, April 19th as we will host our 7th annual Kids in the Kitchen event which empowers children to make healthy lifestyle choices and helps reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. Thank you to all the volunteers who have planned this year’s event, our partner agencies - the McMillen Center and YMCA, and the JLFW volunteers who will come out and make the event so special on April 19th.

On April 25th, we will take the “Bus Back to Us” which celebrates JLFW’s proud history of service and the “difference” we have made in the Fort Wayne community. We invite Actives, Sustainers, friends and community members to join us on a charter bus tour of JLFW’s past projects and see the impact volunteers have made in our community. The bus will be waiting for us in the parking lot of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art at 6:00pm and we will return at 9:00pm.

So as we celebrate national volunteer month, thank you all for the difference we have and will make in the Fort Wayne Community.

The time and talent you invest in the Junior League mission is the foundation of our collective success. Your community and civic leadership makes a difference and inspires others.

Thank you!

The Junior League of Fort Wayne (JLFW) celebrated more than 70 years of service March 9, 2012 by hosting our annual special event fundraiser, Party for Potential, at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. More than 200 guests attended the event, and over $20,000 was raised. All proceeds support JLFW’s mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community.

“We are thrilled by the success of this event,” said JLFW President Connie Heflin. “We know our success depends greatly on the generosity of our volunteer members and our community supporters. We are overwhelmed by their tremendous support for the Junior League and our mission to help women and children in the Fort Wayne community.”

Highlights of the evening were silent and live auctions with over 90 different items and packages, ranging from orthodontia services, to original artwork, to a 40-inch LED television. The highest-bid winning package at $7,800 was a week-long stay in Jamaica generously donated by Margy and Scott Trumbull.

The Special Event Committee Chair, Ashley Steenman, thanks all of the wonderful committee members for their

hard work in putting together such a fantastic and profitable event. The committee appreciates everyone who came out to mingle with friends, bid on auction items and dance the night away.

A special thanks also goes out to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Hall’s Catering, Auctioneer Jerry Ehle, and the Chris Worth and Company Band.

As if sustaining member Ruth Stone needs one more thing to keep her busy, she remains dedicated to the Junior League of Fort Wayne – and she prefers it that way.

            “Junior League is my lifeline of friends,” she said. “Most of my good friends I have met in or through Junior League.”

            The 44-year-old Chicago native joined JLFW 18 years ago to meet people. After she returned from living in Germany for three years and Luxembourg for four years with her husband, Robert, she “rejoined” to reconnect with the community and friends. “Plus I don’t like tennis,” she joked of why she puts such an importance on being involved in JLFW.

            Ruth has served with JLFW in various ways such as co-chairing the Done in a Day committee, attending AJLI’s Organizational Development Institute, representing JLFW to Leadership Fort Wayne, acting as Fund Development and Community vice-presidents, and serving as president elect and then president in 2007-08.

            “Being in Junior League is a way for me to give back. Sure you can give money to organizations, and my husband and I do, but giving your time is sometimes much more valuable and certainly more personally rewarding,” she said.

            And Ruth knows a thing or two about how valuable time is these days. Some in the community might know her as IPFW’s Tapestry Project Manager for the past three years, but she passed off that baton this year to fellow-Leaguer Kathleen Jackson. So what does Ruth do with all her spare time these days? She now is heading up IPFW’s upcoming 50th anniversary public art project, and she volunteers for the United Way of Allen County as a member of its board, Investment Cabinet and Women United Steering Committee.

            She said the skills she learned in JLFW have taught her many things she still uses today, such as organization, volunteer management, fundraising, relationship building and project management. All things women can learn from being involved with JLFW.

            When asked what tips Ruth would give to brand-new members, she said, “Go to as many JLFW meetings and activities as possible.  Introduce yourself.  Ask questions when something isn’t clear.  Don’t be afraid and don’t be intimidated. JLFW’s mission is to develop the potential of women – ours and others in the community.” She also urged new members to “step up and take a challenge. It’s OK to make a mistake. I still do! We’re all here to learn.”

            Ruth has been married for 22 years and has two children, Anna, 18, a freshman at the University of Chicago; and Benjamin, 15, a sophomore at Homestead High School. When she’s not organizing something for non-profit organizations, she loves to run, bike, cook and travel with her family.