Junior League of Tallahassee

Every year, the Junior League's foundation of strength has come from its dedicated members who put in many volunteer hours year-round in a diverse host of areas. In addition to funding and staffing its community projects, JLT has voted regularly to assist other groups in need that provide valuable services to increase the community's quality of life. Here is an abbreviated history of JLT projects and fundraisers since inception in 1949.

1950-51: Bargain Box opened its doors (a clothing shop open year-round that was closed after the Whale took off).

1953-54: Completed research for a bookmobile to donate to the Leon County public and a Children's Theater. (The theater opened the next year and produced annual performances for the next 15 years; the bookmobile was purchased and donated in 1955-56).

1957-58: Full-time employee hired for Bargain Box. Fundraising and organizational drive to establish Junior Museum (now Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science). JLT would provide $20,000 commitment in 1970s.

1961-62: Bargain Box moved to a new location. New buildings at Junior Museum dedicated.

1973-74: First "Whale of a Sale" held. It has remained at the fairgrounds ever since. Under co-chairs Nora Nell Jackson and Mary Noel Childers, every JLT member helped organize. Reached goal of $10,000 net profit.

1979-80: Helped fund special projects at Florida Museum of History/Museum of Archives.

1980-81: Whale of a Sale and Bargain Box raised combined profits of $30,000. (Whale of a Sale grew and started to outpace Bargain Box proceeds).

1982-83: Preview Party & Auction at Whale of a Sale helped the bottom line cash-out at $20,310! Of many projects funded was $5,000 for a child counselor at Refuge House.

1983-84: Established and outfitted a Children's Waiting Room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (financial and volunteer donations continued for several years). Increased donation to expand counseling services at Refuge House.

1984-85: Junior Museum "Farm Interpretation Guidebook" printed. Funded projects for Refuge House, Senior Citizens Center, Teen Center, Science in Motion, and many others.

1986-87: Renowned artist Sandy Proctor dedicated painting of magnolias and cardinals to JLT to raise funds. (A few of the limited edition prints are still available; call 850-224-9161 for details.) First Cook's Tour of Kitchens raised $3,000.

1987-88: Whale of a Sale topped $25,000 in proceeds. Bargain Box closed at expiration of lease.

1988-89: Cookbook Gala raised $27,000 and Thymes Remembered made $32,000 profit on sales. (Thymes Remembered is in its third print, $15.95 plus tax- see our Thymes Remembered page for more information.) Helping Homeless Families project began annual $7,500 commitment for several years.

1989-90: Whale of a Sale topped $40,000 in proceeds. Thymes Remembered marketing expanded to Southeast outlets. Part-time League secretary hired. First homeless seminar co-hosted with Red Cross and the City. (Also donated $10,000 to homeless projects.) Major donation to Knott House restoration.

1991-92: JLT purchased headquarters at 404 E. Sixth Avenue. Sponsored "Discovery Center" at Tallahassee Museum, its largest project in terms of funding and volunteer hours in a condensed timeframe.

1993-94: "Kids on the Block" project (puppet show with skits by JLT members that taught about patience, self-esteem, respect for handicapped, and more) became popular with local schoolchildren.

1994-95: Public Affairs Committee increased involvement in Domestic Violence Awareness Month and, working with Refuge House, has made major impact on community outreach ever since. JLT nominated for Volunteer of the Year award by Ruediger Elementary for mentoring volunteer work.

1994-97: Merry Market, a three-day shopping extravaganza, at the Civic Center put on by JLT as major fundraiser.

1996-97: Kids' Cafe, ODYSSEY Science Center and Kids' Boutique became "signature" projects of JLT.

1998-99: Whale of a Sale, Series of Events, Cooks' Tour of Kitchens, and Paper Plus committees target to bring in more than $110,000 earmarked solely to fund next year's children projects! Sustainers begin hosting socials on a monthly basis. (Annual dues from members and other mini-fundraisers pay for administration and regular expenses at JLT headquarters.)

1999-00: Series of Events included a black-tie gala, a Hoedown, and a Southern Sampler cooking show; projects included Kids' Boutique, Done in a Day, and Refuge House Reading Room.

2000-01: Cook's Tour was a great success. Renowned chef Charlie Trotter headlined a cooking show fundraiser, and we got a visit from the Sweet Potato Queen herself. JLT held a Luau and Hoedown as fundraisers.

2001-02: Held first Talk of Tallahassee speaker event, featuring former First Lady Barbara Bush. The Jingle Bell Whale was a successful project, as were Kids' Boutique, Reach Out and Read and the Refuge House Reading Room. Done In A Day began "Operation Prom Dress" with Gretchen Everhart School, as well as a slipper drive for the Ronald McDonald House. The Cookbook Committee worked all year to develop a brand new cookbook on CD-Rom named "Finding Thyme." We created a scholarship program for high school students, and started an endowment fund.

2002-03: Cook's Tour and Whale of a Sale raised more than $80,000 to fund 2003-04 projects. Kids' Boutique became our "Signature Project" and served over 150 children at the back-to-school event and another 50 children at a winter shopping event. A new project, the TMH Children's Closet began.