PublicRelationsJLA@gmail.com
9 December 2008

MEDIA CONTACT:

Eileen Thaden

(410) 224-8984

PublicRelationsJLA@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ANNAPOLIS AWARDS COMMUNITY GRANTS

Grants Awarded to Five Anne Arundel County Non-Profit Organizations

Annapolis, MD (December 9, 2008) – Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. (JLA), announces the distribution of $5,000 in grants to Girls on the Run Annapolis, Annapolis Maritime Museum, YWCA, Anne Arundel County Court Appointed Special Advocates, and Box of Rain Foundation for their charitable work in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The grants were presented on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at JLA’s holiday luncheon at the Powerhouse building at Lowes Hotel in Annapolis.

Girls on the Run (GOTR) Annapolis received $1,500 to fund the GOTR program at Georgetown East Elementary.  GOTR encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.

YWCA Annapolis and Anne Arundel County received $1,100 to fund the Camp Letts Team Building program cost for 30 children involved in their Mentoring program.  The Mentoring program is designed to provide a positive adult role model for youth with emotional problems

Anne Arundel County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) received $750 towards the recruitment of volunteer child advocates. CASA advocates and supports abused and neglected children who are involved in the court system, to ensure their right to safe and permanent homes as quickly as possible. Each year, more than 11,000 children enter the juvenile court system; CASA helps ease their burdens.

Box of Rain received $450 to cover the costs associated with a canoe trip for 30 at-risk Annapolis youth as part of their Boat Building by the Bay project.  Box of Rain is a program designed to inspire and encourage Annapolis area youth, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to gain self-esteem and to develop life skills that lead to positive contributions to the community.

Resources for the 2008 Community Assistance Donations come from the proceeds from JLA various fundraising activities including sales of A Thyme to Entertain and Of Tide and Thyme cookbooks, Chefs by the Bay, the JLA Annual Fund, Volunteers on the Run 5K, and the Wrap it Up! gift wrapping fundraiser at Westfield Annapolis. For more information about JLA please contact the JLA office directly at 410-224-8984 or email admin@jlannapolis.org.

Photo attached (left to right):
Lisa Snyder, JLA President-Elect
Rebecca Julian, CASA
Sue Neely, Annapolis Maritime Museum
Emilia Poiter, YWCA
Kelsa McLaughlin, Box of Rain
Susan Thaxton, Girls on the Run
Holly McDermott, JLA President

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ABOUT JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ANNAPOLIS

Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. is part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.