By: Camryn Johnson
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The Fayetteville Junior Civic League will host its annual fundraiser at George’s Majestic Lounge on March 3.
Fayetteville’s JCL was founded in 1949 by 50 women with the purpose of providing hands-on services and financial support for local nonprofits around Northwest Arkansas. The all-volunteer organization works closely with the nonprofits to help improve the quality of life for families in the area.
The I Love Fayetteville Big Party takes place every spring and is put on with the purpose of raising money for nonprofit organizations that serve women and children. With the funds raised, the JCL has historically helped nonprofits improve their services through facility upgrades and program funding.
The nonprofits typically see this financial assistance in the form of grants. This year, JCL’s Big Party Chair Morgan Roberts said the goal of the party is to fully fund every grant application that was approved by the league earlier in the year.
In 2022, the JCL raised over $72,000 for 19 different nonprofits, and while she was pleased with the results, Roberts said she wants to go beyond.
“This year our goal is higher than that, so we really would love to fund all 11 of our nonprofit grants and really help as many people in our community as we can,” Roberts said.
2023 Fayetteville Junior Civic League grant recipients:
- CASA of Northwest Arkansas
- Children’s Safety Center of Washington County
- Cooperative Emergency Outreach
- The Elizabeth Richardson Center
- FPS Families in Transition
- FPS Glass Slipper Project
- Girls Rock at Ramay Junior High
- JCL Scholarships
- Magdalene Serenity House
- Second Helping NWA
- Single Parent Scholarship Fund
In addition to raising money for grants, Roberts said the league tries to partner with as many nonprofits as it can throughout the year including taking on a new project with another organization each month.
One of the nonprofits the JCL commonly partners with is the Elizabeth Richardson Child Development Center. The center provides the Early Intervention program for children under the age of six and offers occupational, physical and speech therapy.
Nicole Helms is the Director of Children’s Services and said she heavily credits the help of the JCL and their donations to the ERCDC facility.
“It’s a really great experience for not only us and them- it’s all very rewarding, but we definitely could not do what we do here if we didn’t have the support of the Fayetteville Junior Civic League,” Helms said.
The I Love Fayetteville Big Party will begin at 7 p.m. with a happy hour and live music from TJ Scarlett and Funk Factory. The event will also feature several raffle drawings throughout the evening and photo opportunities.
While the night is meant to be fun, JCL Sponsorship Chair Marta Hobbs says it is an opportunity to recognize the efforts
“It’s a really wonderful experience to see all of the hard work that these 50 amazing women put in every year to raise money and to get out into the community and help as much as possible – to see it directly affect these nonprofits and how they are going to use that grant money to help other women and children in the community,” Hobbs said.
Tickets for the event can be purchased through the Fayetteville Junior Civic League website.