I joined the New York Junior League at the beginning of this year with two hopes: 1) to do good work in my community and 2) to make life-lasting friendships. I'm happy to say it's delivered on both fronts. I've met wonderful, quality girls; I even won an award. And now I have a chance to make a difference in New York City.
Every member of NYJL is required to serve on a committee once she has graduated from her Provisional Period. Some committees do fundraising and put on philanthropy events and cocktail parties. Other committees go out into the community. Mine does the latter. Our mission is to teach underprivileged families about cooking and health. We make easy, affordable, healthy meals and do simple fitness activities with them. The residence we are working with now provides the families with housing and job training to get them back on their feet.
Tonight I got to interact with some of the kids and tour one of the apartments that the families live in. It really got me thinking. I make no apologies for who I am and what I have, but I am so unbelievably grateful to be in a position to be able to help others. I am so thankful that I am able to write checks to support amazing causes that I truly believe in, and I am even more delighted to give of my time.
I am happy to be chubby, because it means I am well-fed. I am happy to have little things to complain about, because it means that I don't have big things to complain about.
I love my family, my friends, my home, my job, and a few other things. Sometimes I need a slap back down to reality, and tonight was just that. It was heartbreaking and gratifying all at once.
Life is good.
I went to a great JL event that talked about Eleanor Roosevelt's involvement with the league and she started out similarly to you, by going to the residences of underprivileged families and working to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a very gratifying committee. I'm also lucky to be working with a committee that I am passionate about. We're throwing holiday parties for pediatric HIV/AIDS patients at the local children's hospital.
It's so easy to get caught up in the little things in life. I am forever complaining about something that is not important. Thank you for this post today because sometimes I need a reality check and to be thankful for what I do have!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I am in my provisional year and looking forward to being on a committee next year. It is always important to reflect on how much we have to be very thankful for.
ReplyDeleteOf all the decisions I've made in 2010, I think the best one was to join the Junior League of Portland in August.
ReplyDeleteIts so easy to get caught up in the details of life and get down, but being given the opportunity to help others is so eye opening and inspiring - I'm excited to get more and more involved!
Beautiful post, thanks for the reminder!!
ReplyDeleteI would eventually like to do JL...What's involved with the joining process?
ReplyDeletethat's awesome :)
ReplyDeletewonderful to hear!! if you're ever in DC you'll have to come to one of our JLW events
ReplyDeleteI really want to join JL but I don't think I could make it to the meetings due to work. I guess I have some time to figure out how to make it work because I missed the deadline this year.
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