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 April 3-5 at Barnes & Noble in Champaign.

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, , Carle Hospice’s Camp Healing Heart, the U of I College of Education’s Youth Literature Festival, a Habitat for Humanity home build, and brochure delivery for the Crisis Nursery.

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

Since 1998, JLCU has partnered with local businesses to supply thousands of dollars worth of school supplies to local C-U schools for students who cannot afford these items. Each summer, JLCU volunteers stock “lockers” to distribute to each school so teachers can access supplies as a need arises. The supplies include markers, glue sticks, folders, pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks, and much, much more.

Funds are also used for musical instrument scholarships, physical education equipment, art supplies, and to fund special programs and field trips. 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 or music instruments.

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

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. JLCU volunteers go to the Food Bank throughout the school year and pack grocery bags full of nutritious, easy to prepare, foods. The Food Bank delivers the stuffed bags to participating schools on Fridays. Additional funding has been provided for this program by CCMSI and other local businesses and agencies.

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