Junior League of Wichita

is honored with a Brick from the Junior League of Wichita.

On January 15, 1925, the Junior League of Wichita was chartered with sponsorship provided by the Junior Leagues of Chicago and Kansas City. The organization is a leader in developing programs to fulfill unmet needs throughout the community. Since its inception, approximately $5,400,000 has been contributed to community projects and training programs. An additional $31,000,000 of in-kind services reflecting more than 6,000,000 volunteer hours have also been given to improve the quality of life in our community. Financial support for these ongoing projects and training programs is derived from the proceeds of the Junior League Resale Shop and through special projects such as the publication and sale of the "Sunflower Sampler" and "Women of Great Taste" cookbooks.

Throughout its existence, the primary focus of the organization has remained constant. As identified in its mission statement, "The Junior League of Wichita, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable." The Junior League of Wichita, Inc. reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to voluntarism.

Projects of the Junior League of Wichita, Inc. have varied widely. Early activities included providing cars and drivers to take nurses and social workers on weekly visits to the poor and ill, delivering free milk to needy babies, and driving mothers and children to doctors and clinics. In later years, members have participated in swimming classes for crippled children; assisted in the sale of war bonds and stamps; made and delivered more than 1,325,000 cancer bandages to local hospitals; provided funds and volunteer hours in connection with the development of the Sedgwick County Zoo; worked in conjunction with the Wichita Historical Museum Association to publish "Wichita Century," the official centennial pictorial history of Wichita; provided furnishings for the Children's Room of the Wichita Public Library Central Branch; assisted in the development of an outdoor therapy area for Heartspring; taught health and hygiene to families through the Healthworks project; taught youth the importance of community involvement and volunteering through the Giraffe Project; and provided flight instructors for the Kansas Air National Guard's STARBASE program, which augments the math, science, technology and personal growth skills of children.

The Wichita Art Museum, the Sedgwick County Welfare Board, the YWCA, the Wichita Symphony, the Wichita Children's Theatre, the Leukemia Society, the Kansas Children's Service League, Music Theatre of Wichita, Wichita Festivals, Inc., Kansas Action for Children, the Women's Crisis Center, Wesley Medical Center, Rainbows United, Roots and Wings, the Wichita Urban Indian Health Center, Operation Clothesline, Hospice of Wichita, the Children's Museum of Wichita, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Department of Community Health, the Wichita Children's Home, SER Corporation, Literacy Volunteers of America, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Sedgwick County, and the Women's Initiative Network are among the agencies and community projects which have benefited from Junior League of Wichita involvement.

In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the Junior League of Wichita, Inc. presented Heritage Square to the City of Wichita. This part, located next to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum in downtown Wichita, provides an attractive site for a variety of special events. In anticipation of its 75th Anniversary, the Junior League of Wichita, Inc. has joined with the Sedgwick County Zoo to build a Lion Habitat that will be nationally recognized for its outstanding attributes.

In addition to volunteering on behalf of the Junior League, approximately 50 percent of the organization's members are employed full-time in the community. Members also serve on numerous community boards. Information about membership in the Junior League of Wichita, Inc., as well as details about the organization's history and specific community activities, is available from the Junior League of Wichita, Inc., 6402 East 12th, Wichita, KS, 67206.

September 12, 1998