ALTON, ILLINOIS – Junior League of Greater Alton has a direct line to the big guy in red this Christmas – those participating in the organization’s holiday fundraiser can get personalized, handwritten letters from Santa himself, postmarked from the North Pole.
“Each letter is a perfect gift for children of all ages, naughty or nice, and will arrive from the North Pole just in time for Christmas,” said Committee Chairperson Jama Fabry.
The letters can be purchased for $8 each at a number of local craft fairs, including the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders’ Olde Alton Arts and Crafts Fair, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8 at Alton High School, or from any JLGA member. They can also be purchased online ($8.50, includes PayPal fees) at juniorleaguealton.org/fundraising/letters-from-santa/.
All proceeds benefit JLGA’s community impact project, the Junior League Locker, which helps children in the Alton School District, grades K-5, who are in need of clothing.
“JLGA wanted to give area children the opportunity to cut the tags off of their own new clothes and help them find the confidence and pride they deserve,” said 2019-2020 President Nicole Fiedler. “We launched the program in 2018-2019 in Alton’s K-1 centers, and we were so excited to be able to expand to three more schools (grades 2-5) this year, thanks to the community’s overwhelming support of our efforts.”
The Junior League Locker is currently operating at Eunice Smith Elementary, Lovejoy Elementary, Gilson Brown Elementary, Lewis and Clark Elementary, North Elementary, East Elementary and West Elementary.
JLGA works with counselors and administrators at the schools to fulfill clothing requests for students in need on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, each school is stocked with a “Locker” filled with basic clothing needs and shoes that teachers, counselors and administrators can give to children as needed throughout the school year.
For more information on this fundraiser, visit juniorleaguealton.org/fundraising/letters-from-santa. To learn more about the Junior League Locker, visit juniorleaguealton.org/community-impact/jl-locker.
The Junior League of Greater Alton, established in 1952, is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to empowering women and making the community in and around the Riverbend a better place for a diverse population of children and their families. JLGA is a chapter of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. and is dedicated to the training and development of local women leaders and volunteers making an impact in the community. To learn more, visit juniorleaguealton.org.
