Are You Ready to Rumble?

Touch A Truck, the newest Junior League of Columbia fundraiser and family event, will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013. The New State Farmer's Market will be transformed into a world of big rigs and heavy machinery for young and old alike to see up close!

The 4th annual Touch A Truck event will feature all things that go! Kids have the opportunity to explore big vehicles like fire trucks, cement trucks, bulldozers and antique military vehicles as well as meet the men and women people who build, protect and serve the Midlands. This community event also features family-friendly entertainment, public safety information plus healthy eating activities from JLC's Kids in the Kitchen. Mascots, face painting, and other amusements round out the fun. Come join us!

Saturday, April 13, 2013
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
New State Farmer's Market
3483 Charleston Highway
West Columbia, South Carolina

Admission: $6 per person (Children under 2 free with a paying adult) or a family 4-pack of tickets for $20.

Tickets are available for purchase at the event.  For more information, please visit the Junior League of Columbia's website at www.jlcolumbia.org.

JLC Learns About the Snack Pack Program

Contributed by Carol Caulk, Active Member

Junior League of Columbia had a strong turnout at McGregor Presbyterian Church in Irmo for Thursday night's February Split Meeting, despite the dreary weather.

Stuart Stout of the St. Andrews Optimist Club and Diane Parham, Chair of the Missions Committee, at McGregor Presbyterian Church shared the story and background of their Snack Program.

The children who benefit from the Snack Program have been identified through teachers, guidance counselors andschool social workers as not getting enough to eat over the weekends, which affects their health and ability to learn. Many are homeless; others are from families that have lost jobs and are in need of help. Sadly, the numbers continue to increase.

Over a year and a half ago, the Optimist Club and McGregor Church decided to join forces and began assembling snack packs for 50 children.  

The Optimist Club currently meets at McGregor Presbyterian Church every Sunday evening and packs 190 snack packs a week during the school year at a cost of over one thousand dollars ($1,000) a week, ensuring that at least 190 children will not go hungry over a weekend.

During longer breaks from school the group will assemble larger snack packs.  The summer break snack packs cost an average of $40.00 a box and are to last a family five weeks until they can return and get a second box to last another five weeks until the children return to school.

“Prior to the Snack Pack program there were a larger number of children reporting to the school nurses on Monday mornings stating they were ill when in reality they were hungry. This number has dropped significantly,” said Stuart Stout.

The Optimist and McGregor members do not know the faces of the children they are serving through the Snack Program.  Only the teachers know the identities of the children.  One teacher said she had to choke back tears at the unbridled joy and gratefulness of a child receiving this tiny bag of food to take home for the weekend so they would not be hungry.

The St. Andrews Optimist Club and McGregor Presbyterian Church welcome any help you would like to offer whether it be cash, in-kind donations of snack pack items or just your time to help assemble snack bags.  For more information please contact stwartstout@att.net .

Below is a list of some of the items included in the snack packs:

Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Bars or other granola bars
Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats - individually packaged squares

Single-serving cereal boxes (Variety pack)

Fruit snack packets (gummy/chewy type, preferably made with fruit juice)

Instant oatmeal packets

Instant grits packets

Slim Jims

Applesauce cups or mixed fruit cups (peel-off plastic or pop-top lids)

Mandarin oranges (small or 4-oz cups or pop-top cans)

Lance crackers - any variety (not cookies)

Chef Boyardee Ravioli - pop-top 7-oz cans or 15-oz cans

Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs - pop-top 7-oz cans or 15-oz cans

Microwaveable macaroni and cheese cups

Healthy Kids Fun Fair

Come One, Come All!

2013 marks the second annual Healthy Kids Fun Fair, sponsored by JLC. Scheduled for Saturday, February 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Dreher High School gym, Healthy Kids Fun Fair is a totally free event for children and their families. Open to everyone, the Fun Fair focuses on educating children on healthy eating, fun exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle. While at the fair, children and their parents can benefit from:

• FREE BMI Testing, from USC School of Medicine, Pediatric Diabetes & Obesity Institute.
• FREE Vision Screenings, from USC/Midlands Optometric Society.
• FREE Dental Screenings in the Colgate, Bright Smiles Bright Futures Van.
• Watching the EdVenture Dental Puppet Show.
• Information from the American Lung Associatino on childhood asthma.
• Information from the University of South Carolina Goodbodies Program.
• Information from USC Honors College, Project Vida, on body cleanliness.
• Importance of physical activity, provided by My Little Gym Fitness.
• Information from Value Medical, on convenient cost saving pharmacy care.
• Healthy Cooking, from JLC Kids in the Kitchen.
• Learning how to grow healthy plants, from a JLC Provisional Group.
• Learn how to lead a B543210 lifestyle, including eating a healthy breakfast, fruits, veggies, dairy, drinking plenty of water, avoiding sweetened drinks, exercising daily and limiting TV time.

Plus, parents can benefit from receiving tons of information on how to lead a healthy lifestyle in hopes their children will model after their behavior. In addition to material provided by the JLC, Palmetto Health Richland will provide information on adult healthy lifestyles and adult BMI testing. 

Performances will occur during the fair by:

• Enforcers Cheerleading Squad
• Dance World
• Steps of Faith
• Dance Techniques
• East West MMA Karatee Group
• Double Dutch
• C&C Soul Line

Children and their families can also have their picture taken with Elmo, the Palmettovors, plus other mascot celebrities! Come one, come all! The JLC Healthy Kids Fun Fair 2013 is sure to be an educational AND FUN event for the entire family!

Submitted by Ann-Stanton Cannarella, Active

Top 10 Coolest Clean Sweep Items

Submitted by Kate Crosby, Active Member

Last night, I worked the Departments shift for Clean Sweep 2013. In the midst of rummaging through boxes of donated items, organizing tables and helping determine the price of one man's junk for another's treasure, I found myself "window shopping." All I have to say is when hundreds of women are donating their junk, you are sure to find some fabulous items. I'll be at the Clean Sweep Preview Party tonight with cash and ready to buy some of what I would call "the Top 10 Coolest Clean Sweep Items."

1. Fondue Set. Who doesn't love fondue? For those looking for a cheap Valentine's Day date idea, fondue night is a winner! For just $5 you can be well on your way to having a fondue night for you and your honey.
   
   
   
   
2. Light up palm tree. South Carolinians love their Palmetto Trees! I don't understand why a JLCer would give up this amazing light-up one. I think this would be cool on someone's back porch or by the pool!
   
   
   
   
   3. Red Couch. I couldn't believe it. This couch is in pristine condition. Either this JLCer didn't have messy children or no one ever sat on it! It's such a fun, vibrant red and it would look really cute in a playroom, starter home or even in your office!
   
   
   
   4. Designer maternity jeans. Okay, so I am not having children anytime soon, so this is for all of you who are expecting. There were so many cute maternity clothes! Lots of clothes from A Pea in the Pod and even a pair of Citizens of Humanity designer jeans.
   
   
   
   5. Leopard Chair. This chair is so sassy and cute for your little diva. I wish they made it in my size!
   
   
   
   6. Patio set. This patio set, again, would look great on a back portch or by a pool! Hey, if you get the light-up Palmetto Tree, too...you are totally set for all that entertaining you're going to do this summer.
   
   
   
   The last four of my 10 are things you would only find at a "garage" sale hosted by hundreds of women! Piles upon piles of jewelry, handbags, chick flicks and girly novels. Stock up for you and your friends! I know I am!
   
   
   7. Handbags. 
   
   
   
   8. Jewelry.
   
   
   
   9. Chick Flicks.
   10. Girly Novels.
   
   
   
   Have fun shopping ladies! See you at Preview Party tonight!

Clean Sweep Storage Battles

The 2013 Clean Sweep Preview Party will take on a new twist this year with a LIVE auction! To go along with our "Storage Battles" theme, party-goers will get the chance to preview four different storage containers filled with various merchandise and gift cards to use all over Columbia. After you decide which container will provide you with the most fun experiences, get ready to outbid your friends with the help of a live auctioneer!

Stake your claim on one of the four unique containers!

• The "Pamper Me" Weekend container is full of spa and cooking opportunities! ($300 value)
• Enjoy a Columbia Staycation by bidding on the container with date night activities including dinner, movie tickets, a hotel stay and more! ($380 value)
• The athletic enthusiast should bid on the Sports container to win athletic apparel, a gym membership and opportunities to more fun-filled activities in Columbia! ($250 value)
• Take time to Relax & Enjoy by bidding on the container with spa and beautifying treatments at local salons, followed by a tasty meal! ($180 value)

Come with your energy and appetite to enjoy Bone In BBQ and music from BandKamp while benefitting from all the "steals and deals" of the Junior League's Clean Sweep Preview Party!

So, here's what you need to know!

When: Thursday, January 31st at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cantey Building at the SC State Fairgrounds
Tickets: Tickets are $30 in advance (until January 30), available at www.jlcolumbia.org or at JLC Headquarters. Tickets are $35 on January 31.
Other Scoop: Auction items and rummage can be paid for by cash or check only. Rummage is twice the price!

JLC Leaders Show Support for Human Trafficking and Prevention Month in South Carolina

Submitted by Emily Brady, Public Affairs Team Chair

On Tuesday, January 15, 2013, members of the Junior League of Columbia joined with leaders, victims advocates and elected officials at the South Carolina State House to proclaim January 2013 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. During the press conference, S.C. Lieutenant Governor Glenn McConnell read a proclamation from S.C. Governor Nikki Haley. S.C. Representative Nelson Hardwick addressed the group explaining the human trafficking legislation, "SC's Stand & Citizen Law," which was unanimously passed by the General Assembly in 2012. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson spoke about the impact of human trafficking in South Carolina and the task force that has recently been put into action to study the issue, which is being lead by Assistant Attorney General and JLC member Kelly Hall. The task force will be meeting this year to develop a statewide action plan. The JLC Public Affairs Team will stay up to date with the work of the task force and will plan to help advocate for the study once it is completed. Following the press conference, members of JLC met with S.C. Lieutenant Governor McConnell, as well as S.C. Attorney General Wilson (see picture), to express our interest and support for this important issue in South Carolina. Both leaders were impressed with our initiative and look forward to staying engaged with the League and its efforts. If you are interested in learning more about the League's advocacy efforts, please contact Public Affairs Team Chair Emily Brady at 803.238.4767 or EmilyBBrady@gmail.com. 

January Team Players

Each month at the General Membership Meeting, JLC recognizes women who have gone above and beyond for the League. We are honored to recognize the following women for the month of January! Thank you for your service to the Junior League of Columbia!

Carol Caulk, Holiday Market Decorations Committee Member 

 Jennifer Hethcox, Membership Recognition & Satisfaction Co-Chair

 Riley Creech, Provisional Committee Member

Anna Edwards, Membership Recognition & Satisfaction Co-Chair