A Sneak Preview of the Holiday Market Auction

Getting geared up for the Holiday Market Preview Party this Wednesday at the SC State Fairgrounds? It's sure to be a merry and bright night to remember! To help get you in the spirit, the Silent Auction committee wanted to make sure you knew about a few special items that we'll be offering this year. Get ready to bid - and have fun!

 

A Trip to Paradise

Enjoy a week at the Ritz Carlton Club in St. Thomas, USVI. Stay in a beautifully appointed 3-bedroom, 3 ½ bath condo will full kitchen, living room and accommodations that comfortably sleep 8 and overlook the pristine Great Bay.Take advantage of amenities like snorkeling, sailing excursions and a full-service spa - but, most of all, just relax in one of the world’s most beautiful spots.Make your own fireworks in paradise this Fourth of July! Stay is from June 29 – July 6, 2013. Value: $7,500.

 

 

 

Dove Hunter's Delight

Get ready to go on an exceptional hunting adventure! Courtesy of Sporting Adventures International, this 4-person, 3-day dove hunting package in Argentina includes gourmet meals, 5-star accommodations, and custom clearing. Open bar, laundry service and daily gun cleaning included. Airfare isn’t part of the package, but Sporting Adventures can help you with excellent group rates. Don’t miss out! Expires Nov. 28, 2013. Value: $11,000.

 

 

 

Dinner - The Southern Way

Who said entertaining wasn’t easy? Thanks to Southern Way Catering , you can host an elegant dinner for 8 at your home, with a delicious, 3-course meal that includes salad, entree, dessert – and wine service! Simply send the invitations and let Southern Way handle everything else. Now that’s the way to entertain! Value: $2,500.

An Evening at The Oak Table

Take an evening and indulge at one of Columbia’s newest hot spots! Partake in a private dinner for 10 at The Oak Table in the heart of downtown Columbia. Delight in executive chef Joseph Jacobson’s modern American cuisine highlighting regionally sourced ingredients and a seasonal menu. And don’t forget the inspired cocktails –including The Mac-Hattan or a Basil Ginger Lemonade. Mmm... Value: $1,000.

 

 

 

Get your tickets now to Preview Party at http://www.jlcolumbia.org/?nd=holiday_market_public.

 

Holiday Market Made Possible by our Sponsors

The Junior League of Columbia's annual Holiday Market raises hundreds of thousands of dollars that go back into the Columbia community through community projects. This wouldn't be possible without the support of our sponsors, so we would like to take a moment to say THANK YOU!

League Leader
Southern Way Catering
Franklin Jones Coldwell Banker

League Partner
Displays Unlimited
Palmetto Party Rental
Two Men and A Truck
The State Media Company
Wells Fargo
PODS Mobile Storage
Spectra Integration
Heartstrings Hospice

League Advocate Alliance Consulting Engineers BlueCross BlueShield of SC League Supporter SakiTumi NBSC First Citizens Cricket Newman Grecian Gardens Ed Robinson Cleaners Chocolate Nirvana DiPrato's Cupcake Blue Marlin Villa Tronco Solstice Mr. Friendly's Cellar on Greene Takosushi Terra Morganelli's Worth Repeating League Friend ACE Glass Bluestein, Delgado, Thompson Bokesch & Tipton, LLC Pout Groucho's We would like to say thank you to the following companies: Colliers International California Dreaming Cantina 76 Chick-Fil-A Chipotle Edible Arrangements Everyday Gourmet Greek Boys Gruber Farms Hooligans Honey Baked Ham Moe's Nut Hut Otis Spunkmeyer Little Gym Karen Johnson Apria Tag It Art Food for Thought

We were honored recently by The Cooperative Ministry through The Good Night for our work in the community. The Good Night created a video that really captures the Junior League of Columbia, and we wanted to share it with the League and the Columbia community we serve!

JLC's ABCD's Event is "Best Thing Ever!"

A few weeks ago Josh Whitlock, Director of Ezekiel Ministries, attended the Junior League of Columbia's ABCD's event. Here's what he had to say after everything was said and done...

I'm so thankful that our good friend, Miss Sandee Hensley from Jubilee Academy, included us in the Junior League's Annual event ABCD's for kids this year. I am very blessed to have been a part of it. I am currently the Director at Ezekiel Ministries and we hope to get involved again next year. As most of you know, the Junior League organizes an event at Wal-mart every year that provides some essentials for kids who are in great need and very underprivileged. Kids receive a coat, shoes, socks, a book, and a recipe and all the ingredients for a healthy meal for family. What a great idea!

I brought an 11-year old boy, Jaquaris, whose mother had to work, so I got to experience the whole thing first hand. My favorite part of the day was that some brilliant individual came up with the idea of having a personal shopper for each family. I think that is the best thing ever! I had an entire list of things Jaquaris had to find, but I never even had to look at it. Our personal shopper not only found and carted all of Jaquaris's items, they treated this boy like a king, and made what would normally be a pretty stressful situation, fun and easy for him. I am so thankful. Even if I could find a place that had this service, I am sure they couldn't do this job with the care and love for these families the Junior League showed our kids and their families today.

It's really awesome that the kids got the royal treatment for once, but the bigger picture is that some of the main staples parents have to buy his time of year were taken care of. These parents span from all different spectrum of life. All are in poverty, but most for different reasons. Some are just single parents with no education working hard to make ends meet. Some suffer from addiction and their low income and decision-making skills are held captive by their addictions. Others are have been beaten down by life so much that they have given up hope.

In the Bible we are told, so many times, we are to care for the fatherless and the widows. We are so thrilled to have partners, like the Junior League of Columbia, who share in our mission to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community. The blessing for these kids and families is one that makes a big impact on their finances. When I was telling one of the mothers about the opportunity, she informed me that one of her children was just about to grow out of the jacket she'd gotten at the same event a few years ago. That same mom has just recently finished job training at the adult education center and has been diligently seeking a job for three months. She is out there working toward getting on her feet and providing for her family. She has a lot of circumstances working against her, but she's moving forward. I am glad to say that she got a job today!

In some cases I know the generosity gets abused, but in many cases, like this one, it's just that little bit of support and love someone needs to keep trying. It was a great service for the families that got to come. On behalf of the families at Ezekiel Ministries, and I'm sure everyone else who participated would join with me, THANK YOU!

Guest Post By:

Josh Whitlock
Director, Ezekiel Ministries