F a l l 2 0 1 6 A publication of the Junior League of San Antonio, Inc.
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Our Mission
The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. 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. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Know Your Strengths By Janet Peavy
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elcome! I am excited and incredibly humbled to have the honor of serving as the 2016-17 President of the Junior League of San Antonio. When I joined the Junior League, I was most looking forward to working in the community with smart, talented, like-minded women. What I didn’t know then was how much I would grow personally and professionally as a direct result of my choice to participate in one of the strongest women’s movements in the world. I have experienced the joy of seeing how our women care about the world through their service. I have also learned professional skills that I never would have had the opportunity to learn in my professional career. My hope is that all of you get to experience these things – even the hard ones – because that’s how we grow as individuals. My hope is that you not only strive to make the world a better place, but that you grow in positive ways that you never thought possible. Our theme this year is Know Your Strengths. We all have strengths, and when we operate to the best of our abilities, we achieve that personal growth that we all strive for. Part of knowing our strengths is also knowing how to be a good leader, and you don’t need to be a board member or even a committee chair to be a leader in the Junior League! We will be exploring servant leadership, work-life balance, as well as other leadership-driven skills so that we all raise the bar together on what we can and will accomplish. Our talented membership has already been hard at work this year in our community. • Since June 1, 304 SA Works hours have been completed. • To date, we have trained 79 volunteer docents at The DoSeum, completing 63 hours of service.
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• Over the summer, we trained 131 girls at the Glenda Woods Girls University summer camp, also known as Girls, Inc., in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum for a total of 202 hours; and we provided a $5,000 grant to subsidize the cost for several of their campers. • We have served 100 people through our Green Spaces Alliance community gardens program, for a total of 28 hours. • Finally, approximately $4,000 in donations have been made to Goodwill by the JLSA members, and we’re only a third of the way though our donation drive! Overall, that’s $23,772 in direct community benefits just this summer! I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish the rest of this year with such a strong start. Our Fund Development team has also been going full throttle. The Holiday Olé Market team planned an incredible Christmas in New York event that took place October 27th - 29th at the Freeman Coliseum. We have also created a new Casino for a Cause fundraiser that will take place at the Pearl Stables on February 3, 2017. Finally, our 5k is transforming into the ¡VIVA! SA Race, a 5k/10k/competitive walking race that will now begin and end at Hemisfair Park on March 25, 2017. I am continually awed by all the hard work our members do to make the lives of San Antonians better. From direct, hands-on work, to vetted donations to worthy non-profits, to improving the training of our own volunteers, our work is tireless and never complete, but we do it all cheerfully and with open hearts. Our women know the meaning of our 2016-17 theme, “Know Your Strengths!” and live it every day. It is through knowing our strengths that we find the resolve to improve communities, make lives better and grow as individuals. Thank you for all you do,
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CONTENTS Letter from the President 2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Janet Peavy President Celina Montoya President-Elect Katie Kinder DeBauche Secretary Cassie Schneider Treasurer Yvonne Addison Treasurer-Elect Sarah Wannarka Vice President of Community Brandis Davis Vice President of Membership Development Heather Blazi Vice President of Communications Stephanie Girling Vice President of Fund Development Michele Torres Vice President of Planning Hazel Davis Program Development Chair CJ Craig Social Inclusion Chair Stephanie Reese Board Member-at-Large Danielle Schick Bylaws/Parliamentarian Joy McGaugh Vice Chair of Research & Development Libby McKelvain Nominating Chair Tiffany Nelson Property Chair
Community Summer Update
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Community Partner Spotlight: Science Camp
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Vision Statement We are a community of women realizing and cultivating our gifts, passion, and purpose. We will advance San Antonio through bold female leadership in positions of responsibility and influence.
SCRAWLS STAFF
Community Partner Spotlight: Clarity Child Guidance Center
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Out and About
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Community Partner Spotlight: Family Endeavors
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I Love JLSA Day
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Photographers Ashley Garcia Anna Sanchez
Fundraising Sponsors and Donors
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Layout Editor Joyce Fienman
Holiday Olé Market
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Membership Meet the Board
PR Manager Jenna-Beth Lyde Vice President-Elect of Communications Sara Gerrish
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Active Member Profile: Courtney Ringelstein
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New Member Profile: Pooja Palimar-Rao
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Sustainer Luncheon
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New Member Project
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A.M.I.G.O.S.
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Calendar
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Laurin Cothren Sustaining Advisor
Writers Allison Marble Crystal Sperber Kristen Hoyt
Vice President of Communications Heather Blazi
OFFICE INFORMATION 210.225.1861 www.jlsa.org Managing Director Lupita Castrejón-Tijerina ext. 302 / lupita@jlsa.org Financial Manager Jan Hawkins ext. 301 / jan@jlsa.org Membership Program Administrator Kassie Szolkovy ext. 300 / kassie@jlsa.org
Jill Peavy Assistant to the President Lupita Castrejón-Tijerina Managing Director W o m e n
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MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP FUNDRAISING
Meet the Board
We asked the Board: “What has your experience in the League taught you?� Janet Peavy, President I have experienced the joy of seeing how our women care about the world through their service.
Yvonne Addison, Treasurer-Elect The JLSA has helped strengthen my leadership skills so that I am able to contribute in areas of philanthropy, economic development, and higher education.
Celina Montoya, President-Elect The JLSA has helped me to become a more informed citizen, a more connected member of the community, and a better example for my children.
Katie Kinder DeBauche, Board Secretary I learned about the incredible work of the Food Bank, where I now fight hunger every day as the Director of Individual Giving.
Cassie Schneider, Treasurer My time in the JLSA has helped me not only develop into a better volunteer, but it has brought women into my circle that I would have never met without the League.
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Sarah Wannarka, Vice President of Community Council The JLSA has opened the door to so many new friends and to so many new ways to help the community. o f
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Brandis Davis, Vice President of Membership Development Council Through this organization, I have learned how to give, lead, and listen. Who I was seven years ago is not who I am today, thanks to the JLSA. Stephanie Girling, Vice President of Fund Development I absolutely believe in our mission and have such a passion for raising the funds that allow the League to do what we do best: give back to our Community.
Danielle Schick, Bylaws Committee Chair/Parliamentarian The JLSA has helped me get involved in building a better community for my children while developing my leadership skills.
Heather Blazi, Vice President of Communications Council I have been able to build new skills through my various placements that I have used to advance my professional career.
Tiffany Nelson, Property Chair The JLSA has helped catapult me to succeed and inspire not only in my personal life but by teaching me many skills that I would consider my strengths today.
Hazel Davis, Program Development Chair The Junior League allows me to personally meet some of the tremendous needs in our comunity. I know the work we do matters.
Libby McKelvain, Nominating Chair Now in my 10th year, I look back and appreciate not only the gift of friendships, but also the incredible amount of training the League has given me.
Michele Torres (Pauli), Vice President of Planning As an 11-year member of the JLSA, I have had the privilege to work with many great women who have helped shape both my ability to lead as well as to follow. Joy McGaugh, Vice Chair of Research & Development Upon joining the JLSA, I found new, amazing friends, opportunities for leadership and growth, and a renewed sense of confidence that had been sorely lacking from my life. Stephanie Reese, Board Memberat-Large The JLSA helped me look deeper into who I am as a person, leader, volunteer, and especially a woman. W o m e n
CJ Craig, Social Inclusion Chair The JLSA has helped give me the confidence to approach new situations in creative ways. By working side-by-side with a unique group of women, I’ve learned new problem solving skills and ways to approach situations.
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Laurin Cothren, Board Sustaining Advisor Working to create the START gallery and keeping the books as treasurer (no computer) assisted me to better understand myself and our community. Jill Peavy, Assistant to the President I’ve gained confidence in my abilities to lead, and it has opened many doors for me in other volunteer opportunities in my community. Lupita Castrejón-Tijerina, Managing Director To be mindful of other people’s priorities, place in life, and align them to the vision and mission, while putting people first and demonstrating compassion.
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Summer Update How the Junior League Spent Its Summer
Text: Allison Marble
Photos: Megan Kucera
While school was out for the summer, the Junior League of San Antonio’s (JLSA) Community Council was hard at work preparing for the upcoming year and completing a few key projects. The Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio placement began with a tour of the facility in August. The Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio is opening a new location on Nogalitos Street in 2017, thanks in large part to the work done by our JLSA volunteers. The new location will boast a teaching kitchen for kids to learn how to cook healthy meals. This new kitchen is a direct result of the great work the JLSA has done at the Calderon branch, as more parents and kids have inquired about ways to learn more about healthy eating, cooking and living. Clarity Child Guidance Center (Clarity) prepared for the upcoming Junior League year by having volunteers attend orientation, tour the campus, complete background checks and pass drug tests. The JLSA volunteers also created centerpieces for Clarity’s annual gala in September. The centerpieces were made from art supplies donated by the JLSA and artwork from the children. After the gala, the centerpieces were donated back to Clarity’s Play with a Purpose initiative. Additionally, at the end of the 2016 Junior League year, Clarity received a $200 grant to buy blenders, toaster ovens, and hot plates for the new kid’s kitchen. The children now have an area where they can learn to cook simple and healthy meals by themselves. The JLSA Goodwill team spent time preparing for the yearly donations from all Junior League members. By the beginning of August, our JLSA members had donated over $3,000 worth of items, totaling more than $1,200 in partner gift cards. The deadline to submit Goodwill donations is January 31, 2017. In July, Green Spaces Alliance (GSA) had their annual Pass the Hose meeting. At this meeting, our JLSA volunteers learned about El Jardín de la Esperanza, a community garden in the heart of the
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Westside that the JLSA is focusing on this League year. Lastly, the volunteers enjoyed an entire workshop on composting and were able to assist the Master Composter in reviving El Jardín de la Esperanza’s compost pile. The SA Works placement kicked off in June 2016, and Junior League members were anxious to get to work serving the community! By August, SA Works volunteers had worked 304 hours and served over 15,000 people. Science Camp was the largest community project completed by the JLSA over the summer. In total, Science Camp volunteers worked 202 hours preparing for and working at Science Camp from June 27 through July 22. Science Camp partnered with Girls, Inc. to provide a hands-on experience focusing on STEM-based subjects to young girls.
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The 92nd Annual Junior League of San Antonio Rummage Around Event draws thousands of shoppers to ten different Goodwill Stores throughout San Antonio in a treasure hunt for great deals. Goodwill has assisted the Junior League of San Antonio with the coordination of this annual event since 2009. Through this collaboration, JLSA members generously donate new and gently used high-end, brand name merchandise to our Julia’s Attic section year-round, while Goodwill provides hundreds of gift cards to partner non-profits to use at the Rummage event. For more information, call (210) 924-8581 or visit goodwillsa.org
Join Us Saturday, February 25, 2017
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Community Partner Spotlight: Science Camp Reinforcing College Readiness and STEM-Based Learning for Young Girls Text: Allison Marble
Photos: Amanda Galvin
The Junior League of San Antonio (JLSA) continued its partnership with the Glenda Woods Girls University summer camp, also known as Girls, Inc., for the second year in a row for Science Camp. Formerly Reading Camp, Science Camp took place from June 20 through July 22 at both the Central and Eastside locations of Girls, Inc. Girls, Inc. of San Antonio is an organization that inspires young girls to be strong, smart, and bold through year-round holistic, compensatory, and intentional programming. The mission of Girls, Inc. of San Antonio closely aligns with the newly implemented vision of the Junior League of San Antonio: “We are a community of women realizing and cultivating our gifts, passion, and purpose. We will advance San Antonio through bold female leadership in positions of responsibility and influence.” When deciding how to improve the Science Camp curriculum, second term Science Camp Chair Amanda Galvin decided to transition to a STEM-based curriculum. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are the subjects that collectively make up STEM. The U.S. Department of Education has put increased emphasis on STEM subjects nationally to help the U.S. remain a global leader in the fields of science and technology. By studying STEM subjects, America’s youth are more equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. Science Camp focused on eight key categories that included engineering, geology, botany, environmental science, states of matter, magnetism, electricity and fun with science. The ultimate goal of Science Camp is to spark young girls’ interest in STEM subjects. According to a 2013 study by the National Girls Collaborative Project, boys and girls do not differ significantly in their abilities in math and science from kindergarten through 12th grade. It is during their undergraduate studies that gender disparities begin to emerge. Males are over three times more likely to be interested in STEM majors than female students. Consequently, women are highly underrepresented in the science and engineering professions. Women constitute 47% of the total workforce, but only 27% of the science and engineering workforce. By implementing STEM based activities in Science Camp, the Junior League of San Antonio hopes to encourage young girls to explore the science, technology, engineering, and math fields beyond their elementary education. “I love the idea of supporting STEM activities with young girls. My hope is that they will become interested in a career in the STEM field so women can be better represented. Though Science Camp allows girls to be involved in science and engineering activities, it also enables them to work alongside positive female role models,” says Galvin of her passion for Science Camp.
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The camp participants loved most activities during camp, but several stood out as crowd-pleasers. One favorite was the recreation of an oil spill. On environmental science day, the girls read books about ocean oil spills and discussed the tools that scientists use to clean up a spill. Then, they created a mock oil spill and used different tools to attempt to clean it up. A recurring theme of Science Camp was college readiness. To start the conversation about college, the JLSA volunteers wore their college t-shirts while working at the camp. The students were able to ask the volunteers about their respective schools and what subjects they studied. By the end of each week, the girls attending the camp were able to name where each volunteer went to school. Galvin and her team brought unrivaled passion, positively influencing and encouraging the girls to have confidence in areas historically dominated by men. “It was such a joy to ask a question to the class and watch many hands shoot up! The girls’ passion for learning is what makes Science Camp such a blast,” said Bailey Steele, a JLSA Science Camp volunteer. Eleven JLSA volunteers, including Science Camp Chair Amanda Galvin and Assistant Chair Katie Preis, worked to plan and run the new and improved program. The JLSA volunteers worked over 445 hours writing curriculum, training, purchasing materials, and working during the four weeks of camp.
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MEMBERSHIP
Active Member Profile: Courtney Ringelstein 2016-17 Holiday Olé Market Event Co-Chair
Text: Kristen Hoyt
Photos: Courtney Ringelstein
Texas native and self proclaimed “city girl” Courtney Ringelstein has now turned “country girl” as an active citizen of Pleasanton, where she resides with her husband and two sons, Casper (9) and Cross (7). She was born and raised in San Antonio and graduated from John Marshall High School with honors as an active member of the dance team and the San Antonio Livestock Exposition (SALE). Her active involvement with SALE resulted in a full academic scholarship to the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she studied and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. After graduating college, Courtney spent her professional life in a traditional sales position. In 2004, she met her husband, and they married in 2005. His work led them out of San Antonio and east to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to assist and work with those affected by Hurricane Katrina. After spending two years there, she and her “cowboy” moved back to Texas and started their family. This sassy “city girl” made quite a transition in a move to Pleasanton, Texas, to raise her family, where she was dubbed “Trailer Park Barbie.” Making adjustments to the rural south side of San Antonio, Courtney took the opportunity to begin making her dream of becoming a personal stylist a reality with her now wildly successful boutique, Trailer Park Trinkets. With her love of shopping, her sales background, her husband’s entrepreneurial spirit, and a little help from her hairdresser, her business quickly took off! What started out as a traveling road show booth is now a full-fledged storefront staple in her community. Courtney has since lightened her load with her small business, cutting back on the travel and committing herself to her family and her community. This certainly includes her active role in the Junior League of San Antonio (JLSA) but also involves her efforts to give back to the organizations that once gave to her. She plays an active role in her sons’ schools at Pleasanton ISD, as well as the Pleasanton FFA and Youth Rodeo. You don’t have to listen closely to catch her saying to her children, “Take your spurs off inside,” and “Quit roping your brother!” She certainly has her hands full raising her family. The JLSA holds a place in Courtney’s heart and is high on her list of priorities. When asked about why she joined the Junior League, she replied with an answer most prospective, current, and past members have all considered when joining a reputable group of women of the community. “Originally, I was interested in meeting friends and having fun,” she replied. She had no interest in the leadership aspect of the Junior League, but it only took a few years of serving on the Holiday Olé Market (Olé) Committee to be convinced that someday she’d take on an active leadership role. Inspired by those who had served as her Olé Committee Chairs, she is now the 2016 Co-Chair of the JLSA’s Holiday Olé Market.
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The Holiday Olé Market is four days filled with shopping, fun, and hard work. However, for Courtney, her Co-Chair, Jessica Gonzalez, and their team of the JLSA “Olé soldiers,” serving on the committee is a twelve-month commitment. Courtney says, with “big shoes to fill,” she and her team have reviewed numbers and set goals in hopes of making the Holiday Olé Market even more successful than years past. Coming from someone who loves shopping and is a sales professional, the League has someone on board that couldn’t be more fit to serve in this position. Her motivation this year as a Co-Chair is knowing how many people’s lives are benefitted from this event through checks written to the JLSA’s community partners. “Teamwork makes the dream work” is her go-to motivational speech as she and her team take on Holiday Olé Market 2016: Christmas in New York. Did You Know? • Courtney danced in high school with fellow the JLSA member and past president Kristen Henry. • Courtney enjoys Texas Country music and artists like Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers, and Wade Bowen. • Courtney loves to cook. Her favorite recipes are inspired from the Pioneer Woman. • Courtney has a dachshund named Stretch • Her planner is her Bible Courtney has given a lot of time, sweat, and tears to the Junior League of San Antonio through the years, and proudly acknowledges all that the JLSA has taught her. She’s a big believer in women supporting other women through honest compliments and genuine support. “Don’t blow out someone’s candle to make yours brighter,” she mentioned when discussing the importance of empowering one another.
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COMMUNITY
Community Partner Spotlight: Clarity Child Guidance Center Clarity Child Guidance Center and Junior League of San Antonio Partner to Change the Conversation Surrounding Mental Health Text: Allison Marble
Photos: Tara Shelton
This year marks the seventeenth year that the Junior League of San Antonio (JLSA) and Clarity Child Guidance Center (Clarity) have partnered to link welltrained volunteers to a unique non-profit organization serving the San Antonio area. Our JLSA volunteers primarily serve at Clarity to spread joy and inspire creativity. Over the years, the JLSA has worked alongside Clarity to promote healthy conversation about mental illness and to help Clarity grow in its programming and initiatives. The relationship between our programs is unique in that the JLSA is the only group of volunteers allowed to work directly with the children at the Clarity facility. Clarity Child Guidance Center is the only nonprofit treatment center in the city of San Antonio that specializes in working with children ages 3-17 who suffer from serious mental health problems. The mission of Clarity is to help children, adolescents, and families overcome the disabling effects of mental illness and to improve their ability to function successfully at home, at school, and in the community. One in five kids has an emotional, behavioral, or mental illness – that’s 80,000 in Bexar County alone. However, only one in five of those children receives treatment. These staggering numbers prompted Clarity to sponsor the “One in Five Minds” campaign. “One in Five Minds” was created to raise awareness about mental illness, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, and to increase access to treatment for children regardless of their ability to pay. The “One in Five Minds” campaign provides a monthly e-newsletter with information about children’s mental illness. People who are signed up to receive the newsletter are encouraged to share the information on their personal social media pages to raise awareness. Lastly, the “One in Five Minds” movement invites people to share their story anonymously on their website to show how families are touched by mental illness. Many times, parents and community members hesitate to speak up or ask the important questions about mental illness for fear of how it will look. The JLSA is changing the conversation by creating activities that engage the kids, make them feel important, and help increase the kids’ social skills. Additionally, our JLSA volunteers have worked to help parents, teachers, and caregivers understand the signs and symptoms around mental illness. More information on how to recognize that a child may need help can be found at www.1in5minds.org/find-help.
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In order to proactively help parents and caregivers have the difficult conversations with their children, Clarity supports the Strong Minds and Happy Hearts program. This free program is available to any school who wishes to participate in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. Strong Minds and Happy Hearts is a two-and-a-half-hour program that includes a light meal and an agenda filled with talks by subject matter experts and break-out sessions. They are held in the evening hours and childcare is provided, helping busy parents carve out the time to attend. Sixteen JLSA volunteers are placed exclusively with Clarity for the 2016-17 league year. During the weekly shifts, volunteers read books to the children, complete seasonal arts and crafts for the children to keep, and leave them with treats. These volunteer shifts will total more than 280 hours spent with the children by the end of the league year. In total, approximately 350 hours will have been served by Junior League volunteers at Clarity. In addition to the weekly 1-2 hours spent at Clarity, volunteers help with special events such as a Halloween costume contest and parade, wrapping Christmas presents, and special community events for Clarity’s One in Five Minds campaign and the Strong Minds and Happy Hearts program. For more information on mental illness and how to get involved, visit www.claritycgc.org.
WHY IS DONATING TO ALF IMPORTANT? DONATING TO ALF SHOWS LOYALTY TO YOUR LEAGUE – THAT YOU BELIEVE IN THE MISSION OF JLSA AND YOU WANT TO SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS. THE PERCENTAGE OF MEMBERSHIP DONATIONS TO OUR ORGANIZATION IS A FREQUENTLY REQUESTED STATISTIC BY CORPORATE DONORS. THE CLOSER WE ARE TO 100%, THE STRONGER OUR ORGANIZATION IS – HELPING US GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING SO WE PUT MORE MONEY TOWARDS OUR MISSION. DONATE TO THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF SAN ANTONIO TODAY:
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FUNDRAISING Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors and Donors The Junior League of San Antonio is incredibly thankful to partner with the following businesses, corporations, and individuals who have shown their support in the 2016-17 League year through generous financial and in kind donations. 3 Thread/ Scott-Wynne 9 Round 30 Minute Kickbox Absolutely Delicious Catering Alamo Beer Company Alamo City Comic Con Alamo City Moms Blog Alamo Drafthouse Cinema San Antonio Alamo Fireworks, Inc. Alford & O’Brien PC Allways Autogroup, Ltd. Americus Diamond Aqua Tots ARG Photographs // Photographs for the Modern Family Ashley Brownlee At The Door, Olé Tickets Bakery Lorraine Bambinos Bar Louie Bear and Roo Candle Co. Belles & Beaux Blo Blow Dry Bar Blue Aura Face and Body Boerne Chamber of Commerce Briscoe Western Art Museum Broadway Bank Capital Group Companies Celina Montoya Cheesy Jane’s Corner Bakery Cafe DBA: HairDistrict (Shai Lee enterprises) Vicki Dieterle Dos Carolinas Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Flower and Vine Future Sounds
Gigi’s Cupcakes glassybaby GLI Distributing Halo Couture Hopdoddy J.June Julianne & David Reeves Junior League Board of Directors Karen Brown Kathy De La Paz Kawasaki of Universal City Kendra Scott Jewelry Kiddie Park Kristen Palme Lantana Spa Las Casas Foundation Lolly’s Land and Sea Travel Agency Sandee Marion Mash’d Mazurek & Holliday, PC Mary Murphree Moxie Photography Napa Flats Neiman Marcus San Antonio Nina Shokrian Nova Aesthetics Offenhauser & Co. Insurance Olivia Mansion Bed & Breakfast Paige Tate & Co Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille Petal Post Priscilla Reynosa Purple Leaf Designs Raquel’s Skin Boutique Rene Mulholland Rhonda J. Shoppe Rich Garza Richard Almaguer
S&R Properties Sadie Schweers Saks Fifth Avenue Salons by JC San Antonio Current San Antonio Symphony Sandrine Shelton-Denbow SAT Revolution Shetler Wade Jewelers Silverhorn Golf Club Sister Schubert Slogan Stuff Smart Barre San Antonio SoLuna South Texas Money Management, Ltd. Spice of Life Spurs Sports & Entertainment State Farm Companies Foundation Studio Benton Photographic Boutique SwipeTrack Solutions Texas Beer Bus Tours The Beauty Lounge at Blanco The Bra Box The Bra Chick The Quarry Golf Club The Zachry Foundation Tony Parker Topgolf TPC San Antonio Trader Joe’s Trailer Park Trinkets University Health System Wave Healthcare Waxing the City Whiskey Cake Whitney Ormond Yellow Cab * List current as of November 1, 2016
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FUNDRAISING
Holiday Olé Market
In a New York Minute, Junior League of San Antonio Raises Funds for Community Programs Text: Crystal Sperber Photos: Courtesy Holiday Olé Market Committee 2016 marks the 23rd year that the Junior League of San Antonio has hosted the Holiday Olé Market (Olé). This shopping extravaganza brings an assortment of unique vendors offering gifts, fashion, home décor, and the latest beauty trends. Proceeds from Holiday Olé Market benefit the Junior League of San Antonio’s community programs and projects, including our signature project, “Let’s Go San Antonio,” where volunteers work towards eradicating childhood obesity. This year brought a taste of the Big Apple to San Antonio! Olé was the place to be for over 5,000 shoppers with more than than 130 vendors from all over the United States who came to sell their goods for four jam-packed days. Located at the Expo Hall at Freeman Colliseum, Olé provided shoppers a unique shopping experience to kickoff their holiday season. “The overall experience was more incredible and more dynamic than I could have ever imagined,” boasted Olé co-chair Jessica Gonzalez. “Our team was able to transform the Expo Hall into the streets of New York City. They did an incredible job.” In addition to the general shopping, Olé hosted four New York-inspired parties, creating a VIP experience for shoppers. The first of these parties, Preview Party, was for shoppers who like to be ahead of the game. On Wednesday evening, the Preview Party transported guests to a Christmas night in New York, complete with the iconic tree lighting ceremony! As the first shoppers of Holiday Olé Market, guests were treated to delicious drinks, savory hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and the sounds of the South Texas Jazz. Thursday brought the first full day of shopping and kicked off with another VIP party, Ready, Set, Shop! This event boasted a delicious brunch reminiscent of a New York bakery. Sister Schubert of Sister Schubert’s Rolls was our warm and lively guest speaker and even signed copies of her new cookbook! Olé Co-Chair Courtney Ringelstein
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Improving Communities. Impacting Lives.
136,000
community hours in 2014
2-time
$100.9M
$38M
Civic-50
raised for children’s charities since 2002
donated to charities in 2014
award recipient
As America’s largest refiner and a leading marketer, we’re proud to fuel America’s needs. We make it our mission to improve the lives of people in the communities where we live and work. Our employees raise millions of dollars and volunteer thousands of hours every year to worthy projects in their neighborhoods. It’s a commitment that has been part of our culture from the beginning. We are driven to make an impact in the lives of others.
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FUNDRAISING MEMBERSHIP gushed, “Sister Schubert was phenomenal! Her story touched us all, as she is such a wonderful example of a truly selfless woman.” Thursday was a big shopping day for Holiday Olé Market, with Ready, Set, Shop! in the morning and Girls’ Night Out rounding out the evening. According to Ringelstein, “At this year’s Girls’ Night Out, we had a high-energy fashion show. Our very own JLSA members were the models, and they wore clothing and accessories from our merchants. It was so much fun and a great way to incorporate our merchants into one of our special events.” There was also a silent auction, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres to enjoy! Saturday, October 29th brought a family-favorite tradition, Breakfast with Santa! It was such an exciting time for the whole family to get together for some delicious breakfast bites and fun activities, such as face painting and snowball fights. A special guest, Buddy the Elf, also came to surprise everyone and to introduce the man of the hour, Santa Claus. Buddy read stories to the kids and walked around telling stories of his time at the North Pole, making everyone laugh. The Olé team introduced new ideas this year, including a bag check for shoppers and bringing local food trucks for all to enjoy. Additionally, this year’s market included new merchants and some timeless favorites. “Our merchants this year were top notch,” explained Gonzalez. “We exceeded our goals in numbers and quality with the unique shopping experience we wanted to bring to our guests.” A special thanks to our 2016 Holiday Olé Market sponsors: Valero Energy Foundation, University Health System, Broadway Bank, Capital Group, Studio Benton, Bjorn’s, and South Texas Money Management, Ltd. Gonzalez states, “We are forever grateful for all our sponsors and donors. Without them, this event would not be possible. Because of their generosity, the JLSA was able to raise funds to give back to our San Antonio community.” Ringelstein concluded her thoughts on Holiday Olé Market by saying, “This year’s Holiday Olé Market was such a huge success. There was a wide variety of shopping mixed in with a festive Christmas in New York theme. We had very happy shoppers and happy merchants, and when you have that combination, I call that a successful show!”
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Holiday OlĂŠ Market Sponsors Title Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
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MEMBERSHIP
New Member Profile: Pooja Palimar-Rao A Balanced Life is a Day By Day Adventure
Text: Kristen Hoyt
Photos: Pooja Palimar-Rao Pooja Palimar-Rao was born and raised in McAllen, Texas, a place she’s proud to call home not only for its culturally diverse foods and people, but also for the beautiful landscapes of the Rio Grande Valley. She’s a first-generation American with Indian roots thankful for getting to experience Mexican culture by living in South Texas. She recalls her time in McAllen fondly as a place that embraced her through her time at McAllen Memorial High and after, when she entered a special program through Trinity University in San Antonio. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and then attended graduate school at The University of Louisville in Kentucky. There, she received her Masters in Public Health with a focus on Public Health Administration and Management.
After meeting her husband seven years ago in New York City, they moved to Boston and then San Antonio, allowing her to focus on raising a family. She now has three children that she describes as having “a passion for learning, volunteering, giving back, and crayons!” After three years of residing in a new city, she has described San Antonio as a wonderful place to raise a family, with the Doseum, the San Antonio Zoo, and beautiful parks. She says, “Our culture, heritage, and friendliness make it easy for kids to learn, get inspired, and best of all, grow!” Pooja currently works for the largest au pair agency in the country that helps place international students with host families needing childcare. What’s special about an au pair is not only that they provide care for children, but they are able to share their culture, language, and heritage with their host family. In exchange for the child care, the host opens up the opportunity for the au pair to discover our American culture and welcomes them into their family. She and her husband are hosts to an au pair who helps raise their three children. Following the birth of her children, she took her personal experiences and co-founded Indigo Garments, a line that provides a variety of shapewear and recovery garments for men and women. “Being a mom of three kids, going through the recovery of childbirth, and focusing on Public Health has shaped my passion: providing recovery and extra help to others.”
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When asked why she chose to become a New Member for the Junior League of San Antonio, she explained that her mom, though unable to join herself, made Pooja aware of the organization at a young age and inspired her to become a member someday. She already has positive things to say about her experience with the Junior League of San Antonio. “This organization is one of the most prestigious, warm, giving sisterhoods, and I’ve always felt a strong connection to giving back no matter in what community I happen to live!” She hopes that her commitment to the Junior League will help her put to use the tools and abilities she possesses. “I want to be a pillar for integrity, strength, and compassion. The Junior League provides a platform for and focus to my personal endeavors. A dream of mine is to serve on the board of a non-profit organization.” With a schedule as busy as Pooja’s, it’s a wonder how she balances her family life, professional work, and service to the community. She says “finding balance is impossible” as a woman, mom, daughter, community leader, resource, friend, and director. “The best thing about having it all is the ability to choose!” She’ll tell you that she’s learned over the years that a balanced life is a day-by-day adventure, giving more of herself to some areas of her life than others. Her New Year’s resolution was to make more time to focus on herself and to recharge, which one can imagine would be difficult with the many hats she wears each day. She explained that her drive is in helping others, making them feel important and loved through building relationships and creating connections with support systems. Did You Know? • Pooja’s favorite foods are rice and tacos with green salsa. • Pooja claims to have been to every coffee shop in San Antonio. • She has enjoyed traveling from a young age and has been to many countries all over the world, including visiting her extended family in India. • Pooja is a professional dancer - look out for her moves! • She and her husband were set up on a blind date and were married within 7 months!
Editor’s note: Pooja attended McAllen Memorial High School and Trinity University in San Antonio, not The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, as inititally reported. This article has been corrected.
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COMMUNITY
Out and About
How the JLSA is Making an Impact All Over San Antonio
“We have proudly displayed our 2015 donor list at Hemisfair. The gifts we received from the JLSA were from the heart, and we felt it was important for the community to know who believed in this transformational project. Your philanthropy has already made a tremendous impact on San Antonio. Over 428,000 park visitors, most of whom are locals, have enjoyed Yanaguana Garden since it opened in October 2015. It is our hope that others will be inspired by your generosity to join the family.” Anne Krause Executive Director, Hemisfair Conservancy
“The 30th Annual YOSA Summer Symphony Camp took place July1324, 2016. The JLSA’s contribution supported approximately 9 student scholarships for musicians to attend the camp and was a significant part of making this year one of the most successful in the camp’s history.” Chris Day Director of Development, Youth Orchestras of San Antonio
For a full list of the Junior League of San Antonio’s Community Partners, please visit https://www.jlsa.org/?nd=partner_list
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join us at the 5th annual...
HEMIS
IR A F
03.25.17
On-site packet pickup will be at 8 AM followed by the race at 9 AM
9 AM
The course will go down along the San Antonio River and loop around Blue Star to finish back at Hemisfair
early bird prices until jan. 31 $15 Kids’ Race $35 Competivite Walk or 5K $45 10K
Post - race party Join us at the postrace party for food, drinks, music, activities and awards.
Registration is Live!
Teams of 6: $180 5K $225 10K
After Jan. 31:
Day of Race:
$40 Comp. Walk or 5K $50 10K
$45 Comp. Walk or 5K $55 10K
register online: jlsa.org
Prizes for Most Decorated Fiesta Attire king + queen for best fiesta attire & age group awards
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Sustainer Luncheon Wednesday, October 12, 2016 The Bright Shawl
Text: Kristin Hoyt Photos: Jenna-Beth Lyde The annual Sustainer Luncheon is a highly anticipated event by those women of the Junior League whose years of Active service have passed but who still contribute financially to the Junior League of San Antonio. The occasion draws many of the 600 Sustainer Members of the League to gather for lunch and to reminisce, all while getting a League update from the President. “The Sustainer Luncheon is a time for Sustaining Members to come together, but also for the League to say ‘thank you’ for their years of service,” said Erica Ellis, Vice President-Elect of Membership Development. Pamela Perry, who serves as the Sustainer Liaison, stressed the importance of attending the Sustainer Luncheon each year. “We need to gather as much information as possible to preserve our history,” said Perry. “The members in attendance hold a wealth of knowledge and experience that is a valuable resource to the current members of the League. Some of the Sustainers who are over 80 years old were members at a time when different social requirements for women existed, demanding that they have dinner on the table by 6pm. These women set out to light the world on fire, while maintaining those expectations, all in heels and pearls.” Sustainer Members over the age of 80 are recognized as Emeritus Members and pinned with a red Gerbera daisy during the luncheon. Betty Berkley, an Emeritus Member, said she was most grateful for her Provisional year and all that she learned about the city of San Antonio, something that is still part of Provisional requirements today. Her close friend and fellow Emeritus member, Bette King, remembered how she enjoyed the Wednesday Style Shows, which were hosted in the 1930s at The Bright Shawl. Sustainer Members range widely in age from the Emeritus Members to those who have just recently left Active Status. Patricia Fitch, who served as the JLSA President in the1970s, beamed
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Stay tuned for our Sustainer Spotlights on social media starting March 1st in honor of Women’s History Month!
as she remembered her time as an Active Member in the League. As she smiled and held back laughter she said, “The Follies in 1973, a League fundraiser, allowed the husbands to participate, with choreographed dance lines and songs I still remember today.” Over the past 92 years, society has made strides in regards to the expectations and pressures on women to maintain a home, have a professional career, and give back to the community. The Junior League of San Antonio has members from all backgrounds who successfully maintain all three of these tasks with style and grace. It’s important to remember the movements the women before us started and how they molded the League into what it is today.
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COMMUNITY
Community Partner Spotlight: Family Endeavors Providing Support to Mothers and Children
Text: Allison Marble
Photos: Lisa Lautenschlaeger
Family Endeavors, Inc. is a unique national non-profit organization that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other significant disabilities. Family Endeavors was created in 1969 as Urban Ministries to meet the pressing needs of the San Antonio community, including unemployment, homelessness, mental illness, and child abuse. The Junior League of San Antonio (JLSA) began partnering with Family Endeavors in 2011. In total, the JLSA provides around 10 volunteers who spend more than 750 hours volunteering throughout the League year. Our JLSA volunteers spend a majority of their time volunteering with the Fairweather Programs through Family Endeavors. The Fairweather Programs provide supportive housing, case management, life skills training, and supportive employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities so that they can achieve a life full of stability, successes, and self-sufficiency. The volunteers who are placed with Family Endeavors develop meaningful relationships with the moms at the Fairweather Family Lodge. The Fairweather Family Lodge (FFL) provides case management, life skills training, employment assistance, educational guidance, and other supportive services for women with mental illness and their children in an apartment-style campus. “I will say this; it has been a true blessing to our moms and program. We brag about the JLSA everywhere we go, and whenever we present our program, we discuss what I believe is more than simply volunteering. The JLSA is a support group. It instills a sense of family, belonging, trust, and values that are surrounded by kindness and giving,” says Corey Weber, Fairweather Programs Director for Family Endeavors. Every other Saturday, the JLSA volunteers spend time with an average of 19 moms and 30
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children at the Fairweather Family Lodge making crafts geared towards family bonding. This fall, the volunteers helped the moms make fall wreaths to hang on their doors. The crafts serve as a therapeutic and relaxing way for the moms to take pride in making something to have for themselves. This winter, the volunteers will have a wrap party where they help wrap all of the Christmas presents for Fairweather Family Lodge residents. “These ladies truly care about the well-being of the kids and moms at Family Endeavors. They know everyone’s name and favorite things. Everyone is like family here and it’s such a loving community. I feel like we are learning just as much from the families as they are from us,” says Family Endeavors Chair Lisa Lautenschlaeger.
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New Member Project
The JLSA’s Provisional Members Fight Hunger and Feed Hope at the Food Bank Text: Joyce Fienman
Photos: Rachel Bruno
The Junior League of San Antonio’s New Members gathered at the San Antonio Food Bank on September 10, 2016, to provide much-needed assistance sorting and packing donations. The 76 New Member volunteers packed 20,193 pounds of food for 16,154 individuals. The group was working in the cooler, so jackets and sweaters were a must. Brr!! The JLSA also partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank for the PB + JLSA peanut butter drive on September 13th and collected 546 jars of peanut butter.
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AMIGOS
1924 SOCIETY
Giving Support to Others AMIGOS, A Mission in Giving Others Support, is a committee of members who are here to support, encourage, and congratulate the lives and achievements of our JLSA members.
Congratulations to our following members:
We send announcements, congratulations, sympathies, and other assistance to our members and their families when needed.
Christina Orsborn married Mike LeDoux on September 17, 2016
AMIGOS depends on each League member to pass on information that will benefit other members. If you would like to congratulate a fellow member for her successes, achievements, and milestones or know someone who needs a little help and comforting during a rough time, please email amigos@jlsa.org and let the AMIGOS team know.
Welcome Little Leaguers: Heather Blazi (girl) Carleigh Cadieux (boy) Bridie Chaudoir (girl) Emily Christy (girl) Suzanne Graham (boy) Chrysalis Heinkel (girl) Kristen Hoyt (boy) Rachel Lee (boy) Kimberly Maldonado (boy) Emily Melingailis (girl) Tiffany Nelson (girl) Stephanie Reese (girl) Julianne Reeves (boy) Sandra Salinas (boy) Karla Strawn (girl) Katie Westbrook (boy)
A M ission In G iving O thers S upport
Wedded Bliss: Lisa Mainz married Austin Kramr on July 16, 2016
Kelly O’Neil married Ryan Preston on October 22, 2016
The 1924 Society was started in the 2013-2014 year to honor the Junior League of San Antonio’s 90th Anniversary. 1924 Society Members have contributed $500 or more to our Annual Loyalty Fund over the course of a single League year. Thank you to the following generous donors who have supported this effort: Lisa Cohick Celina Montoya Laura Talley Andrea Tingleff
A.M.I.G.O.S. would love to hear from you and celebrate your successes or help you through a hard time. Contact us at amigos@jlsa.org.
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The Bright Shawl is the historic home of the Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. The Junior League of San Antonio 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. At the outset, approximately 100 diners could be accommodated in the original small space, and by 1929, The Bright Shawl Tearoom had outgrown this location and moved to its current location at 819 Augusta Street. The new building, designed by architect Alfred Giles, had formally served as the home of Dr. and Mrs. C.E.R. King and their nine children. Lumber for the original house had been purchased from Steves Lumber Company and limestone was hauled from quarries in what is now Brackenridge Park. By 1965, Bright Shawl patronage and Junior League of San Antonio membership had grown to record heights. To accommodate the growth, the Junior League decided to restore the original house and construct new meeting room facilities in 1973 – the same year the original building, formally the CER King home, was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The renovation and expansion project began in 1975 under the direction of architectural firm Martin and Ortega. Upon the completion of the newest construction in 1976, the entire restoration was designated an Official Bicentennial Project. The more than 1,200 members of the Junior League of San Antonio proudly continue to serve the San Antonio 31 W o m efrom n The B uBright i l d Shawl. i n g B e t t e r C o m m u n i t i e s community
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, Tx Permit No.144
723 Brooklyn Avenue San Antonio, Texas 78215 T: 210.225.1861 F: 210.225.6832 www.jlsa.org
JLSACALENDAR! December 16
General Membership Meeting
January 10
General Membership Meeting
February 3
Casino for a Cause: A Night in Monte Carlo @ The Pearl Stable
Varies
General Membership Meetings @ Community Partners
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Rummage Around @ Select Goodwill Stores
March 14
General Membership Meeting
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VIVA SA Race @ Hemisfair Park
Follow us on Social Media
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