Projects

Our Vision: The Junior League of Champaign-Urbana works to improve the lives of children and families within our community.

For our fiscal year June 2008 - May 2009, we are implementing five projects: Back Pack Buddies, Books by the Bushel, Bravery Beads & Fun Reads, Done in a Day (D.I.A.D.), and League Locker which directly support this vision.

2007 Annual Community Report
Click here to review our accomplishments for our fiscal year 2007/08. Thank you for your support!

2007-08 DIAD Application Form
Click here to download pdf form for requesting short-term volunteer assistance.

Books by the Bushel

Originally a project of the Champaign Urbana Community Schools Foundation (CUSF), BBTB began in 1997 as a bookraiser for the libraries of the C-U public schools. Junior League has been involved since its inception by providing volunteers to work during the weekend of the sale. In 2002 BBTB became a JLCU project and in 2003 the Private Schools were added to the project. In 2004, 827 books were raised for 37 schools, 835 books in 2005, and 887 books in 2006. This year's event will be March 7 - 9 at Pages for All Ages in Savoy.

Done in a Day

The goal of D.I.A.D. is to provide short-term or immediate volunteer service within the community on projects not administered by Junior League. These "mini" projects are intended to support one or more of the JLCU position statements.

JLCU volunteers have assisted with a variety of community needs including: WILL Share-A-Story event, Safe Kids Coalition Project, a clean-up day at A Woman's Place, and assisting with the duplication and distribution of informational materials for the YWCA Breast Cancer Awareness.

We will accept and complete many projects during fall 2008 - spring 2009. If your organization would like an application or more information, please write the D.I.A.D Chair, Sarah Bohannen, at JLCU Headquarters or call 356-5880.
Or download our DIAD Assistance Request Application Form and send the completed form to JLCU Headquarters:
Illinois Terminal, 45 E. University
Suite 205
Champaign, Illinois 61820

League Locker

In partnership with Rogards Office Plus and the Music Shoppe, over $36,000 will be used to purchase and distribute school supplies to children in need at public Champaign and Urbana elementary, middle and high schools along with Circle Academy within Cunningham Children's Home. This project also helps fund field trips, physical education project and art projects. The supplies include markers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, folders, pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks, filler paper, and rulers. The Junior League of Champaign Urbana hopes to encourage the learning process and foster self-esteem in children who otherwise might not be able to purchase these supplies.

The Save the Music/Music for All Program is a division of League Locker. With the help of the Music Shoppe, JLCU is now sponsoring a music instrument drive. These instruments go directly into the public schools of Champaign-Urbana, and into the hands of students who desire to play and study music, but do not have the family funds to do so. If you have an instrument that isn't currently being used, please bring it to the Music Shoppe at 114 S. Neil in Champaign.

**Thank you to the community for your support of the February 17th Instrument Drive at Krannert Center during the Tons `O' Fun Traffic Jam. 18 instruments were collected and 750+ people had a great time while supporting our efforts.

Back Pack Buddies

Through Backpack Buddies, JLCU and the Eastern Illinois Food Bank have developed a partnership with area schools to help children who are identified at risk of going hungry or malnourished over the weekend by giving them food to take home while not in school. Volunteers go to the Food Bank once a month (or more often as needed) and pack a month's worth of bags for the receiving students. The Food Bank delivers the stuffed bags to the schools on Fridays. Since the project's inception in 2006, JLCU has contributed $7,500 to Backpack Buddies. CCMSI has also generously donated $7,500 to this partnership project.

Bravery Beads & Fun Reads

Junior League is partnering with Carle Foundation Hospital to provide its pediatric patients with Bravery Beads & Fun Reads. The Bravery Beads component of the program documents and honors a child's hospital experience, enabling them to tell their unique story in a tangible, visual way. Children start off with a colored cord and beads that spell their first name. Thereafter they collect a different bead for every hospitalization, procedure or event. The Fun Reads component consists of a story time monthly that JLCU provides for Carle Hospital's pediatric patients. This activity gives patients a chance, during a hospital stay, to enjoy the diversions of a fun story and activity.

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Junior League of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois Terminal, 45 East University, Suite 205, Champaign, IL 61820 217-356-5880