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The CommentatorSUMMER 2019A PUBLICATION OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ABILENE
The Junior League of Abileneis an organization ofwomen committed topromoting voluntarism, todeveloping the potential ofwomen and to improving thecommunity through theeffective action and leadershipof trained volunteers.Table of ContentsSUMMER 201903President’s LetterWelcome by Taylor Tomanka04A Special ThanksHighlighting Our Abilene Gives Donors05MembershipMeet Our Newest Active Members11Snack Pak 4KidsNew Name, Same VisionA SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DONORS*:10:9 Design, LLC 4B Ranch A Fair Advantage Self-Defense – Ben Fair Abilene Ballet Abilene Christian University Abilene Cultural Affairs Council Abilene Interior Design Abilene Pediatric Dental Abilene Regional Medical Center Abilene Running Co. – Joe Cook Alice Yates Amy Gonzales Ben andElizabeth McAnally Ben E. Keith Betty Rose’s Little Brisket Billye Proctor Shaw Black Plumbing / Maverick Saw Cutting & Core Drilling Bob and PeggyBeckham Browning Law Firm, PLLC - Cade and Katie Browning Carol Chappell Casilea Rodriguez Charles Erwin Chelsea Phillips Chelsea Rico Chephra McKee Cheryl Leonard Chesley and Meg Martin Chris and Tera Gibson Chris Proctor-Cleveland Christie McAdams Leedy Cindi Bumann Cindy Ramsey Cindy Sheppard Cornelia Alvarez Cory Clements CrossFit Abilene Crystal Cox Cynthia Pearson Daniel and Stephanie Robinson Daryl and Amy Carnes David Soto DC Inspection Services Dian Graves Owen Foundation Dixie Bassett Dodge Jones Foundation Dr. Eric and Mrs. SueSchackmuth Dr. Norm Dozier Dru Hall Edible Arrangements Elizabeth Miller Erica Jara Family Vision Associates Fat Matt Roofing FDLIC Fergus& Fergus, L.L.P. First Financial Bank, N.A. FOX Frontier Motors G.M. McCaslin & Co Gary G Linn DDS, PC Gene and Cindy Lantrip Geraldine and RileyWills Gift from the Steve Arthur Family Foundation at the Community Foundation of Abilene Glen Hall, DDS Greathouse Foundation Hickory Street Café His Little Angels Daycare HUB Transport Image Sculptors – Dr. Laura Bennett Jackie Love Jama Cadle Jamie Miers Jana Moreno Jason and AshleyHall Jason and Emerald Cassidy Jeremy and Kristie McBrayer Jessica Varner Joanna Peacock Joe and Amanda Biles John and Amy Milam JusticeConstruction, Inc. Jyl Schoen Kacey Stanfield Kay and David Alexander Kelley Messer Kelly Moore Paints Kelsey and Andrew Caprio Kristina Campos-Davis Ph.D. KTAB/KRBC/Telemundo Kyle and Wendy Tamez Lantrip’s Custom Homes Lawrence Hall - Big Country Chevy Dealer Leon and PattyNewman LMB Real Estate Group Mark and Gina Lewis Mary Klein McMurry University Megan Cheek Megan Longmire Megan McCaslin MelissaStrain Misti Hauger Mollie Branch – Emerge EdComm Motion Industries Mrs. J Price Brock Mrs. Sheryl and Dr. Brad Kendrick Orangetheory Abilene Patrick and Elyse Lewis Paula Fiel Peterson Real Estate Prosperity Bank Rhonda Snyder Riley Branch Robert and Ellen Knox Rockin’ R Drilling, Inc. Ruby Jo Day Russell and Beverly Guthrie Samantha Adkins Sarah Elizabeth Thomas Sendero Properties LLC – Jan McCaslin Shelly McKee SheltonFoundation Sibert Family Sockdolager Brewing Company Southall Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic – Dr. Belinda Southall Star Dodge State FarmAgent – Risha Sanders Suddenlink Communications Sylvan Learning Center Tabitha Coffman Taylor Tomanka and Martin Fergus Tiffany Lamb TiffanyLoftin Tiffany Smith Timber Barkley TMi Advertising Agency Tonya Harbin - Harbin Properties TSTC Abilene United Supermarkets - Market Street Veterans Garage Door Walmart Neighborhood Market #5715 Walmart Store #535 Walmart Store #536*as of August 1, 2019Hours of OperationMonday and Wednesday11 a.m. - 5 p.m.Office ManagerNancy AllenLet’s Get SocialFollow us on social mediato stay connected with themost up-to-date Leaguenews. You’ll also catch usbehind-the-scenes at ourdifferent League events!Junior League of Abilene@jlabilene@jlabilene@jlabileneJunior League of Abilene774 Butternut StAbilene, TX 79602o (325) 677-1879f (325) 677-1870ON COVER:A group photo of past League Presidents shared in the winning Abilene Gives social media campaign. From L-R, the photo features: Tifani Smith(2015-16), Kristina Davis (2017-18), Angela Tomlin (2014-15), Sheryl Kendrick (2003-04), Glenna Cordray (2013-14), Kari Polk (2010-11), AmyMilam (2012-13), Risha Sanders (2008-09), Taylor Tomanka (2019-20), Belinda Southall (2020-21) and Tiffany Loftin (2021-22).jrleagueabilene.com
WelcomeLETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTIf women understood and exercised their powerthey could remake the world. - Emily Taft Douglas Women teach what they learn to their children,especially their daughtersEducate a man and you educate an individual. Educatea woman and you educate an entire community. This isnot just an old adage – it is truth. This year the Leaguewill provide more training in meetings, send membersto conferences with our internattional affiliate, providemembers with tangible resources, and empower ourmembers to be vulnerable enough for growth. Thus thisyear our theme is “Educating, Equipping, & EmpoweringWomen” to be catalysts for community change.At the annual meeting in May, we graduated 54 newmembers – our biggest class in a decade! I am thrilledwith the results of the hard work our Admissions andNew Member Chairs did the past few years in restructuring the class curriculum. The last two Provisionalclasses have more than doubled our active membershipmaking it possible to expand project and fund development efforts, as well as member training opportunities.Within Abilene ISD, more than 11,500 children – 72.3%of those enrolled – live at or under the federal povertyguidelines. This is living off less than 22,500 for a familyof three. Why does this matter to the Junior League?One person cannot make a huge difference in endingyouth homelessness or reducing the amount of childrenin foster care, but together, our collective voice can. Thesmall spark that starts here within the League can turninto a wildfire if we are brave enough to ignite it. I inviteyou to join me and look forward to seeing you onSeptember 10th for our first general meeting of the year! Most children in Taylor County whom are livingbelow the federal poverty guidelines are being raisedby a single woman caregiver ( 24%) More than one in four Texas children (under the ageof five) are currently living in poverty, and, in TaylorCounty, at least one of those four children are beingraised by a single woman caregiverWith Love,Taylor R. Tomanka2019-20 President, Junior League of AbileneSummer 20193jrleagueabilene.com
Abilene GivesA SPECIAL THANKSOn May 7th, our League members asked you to GIVE.We shared the needs of children in our community hygiene products, diapers, weekend meals, socks andunderwear. We asked you to give to support our missionto change youth homelessness, poverty, and hunger inour community.weekend meals to AbileneISD students.We started the morningbright and early at theCommunity Foundation’s,Parade of Causes, eventwhere we were thrilledto learn our Social MediaCampaign placed first!Throughout the day, wehosted a progressivewatch party, Eat, Drink,and Be Giving, at JLA’sheadquarters.After all donations, amplification funds, and prizemonies were tallied, we are thrilled to announce that thisyear’s Abilene Gives campaign raised 9,949.52 for theJunior League of Abilene - more than our first two yearsparticipating combined! With these funds, the Leaguecan further our impact in the community. Our Suds Budsproject received 10 specific donations that will provideadditional hygiene kits for students at Abilene ISD’s Title1 campuses. The League’s partnership with AbileneISD’s Homeless Youth Ministry received 41 specificdonations, providingmuch needed femalehygiene products,socks and underwearfor students servedthrough this initiative.Our CommunityPartners projectreceived 8 specificdonations which willbe used to purchasediapers for the CPSBluebonnet Room,a resource for caseworkers andfoster families duringemergencyplacements.The League’s project Backpacks for Kids (transitioningto Snack Packs 4 Kids this fall) will expand to serve morestudents through 2 specific donations during Abilene’sDay of Giving. This project addresses childhood hunger inour community by providing non-perishable, kid-friendlySummer 2019Probably the most powerful moment of the day occurredduring the Junior Leader Jam watch party. We hosted anafterschool watch party just for our Junior Leaders, putout a spread of special snacks and treats, and providedan opportunity for them to thank our donors. Halfwaythrough the party, two siblings asked who they couldpresent their donation to - pulling money from theirpockets. Their generosity spread, and before this 1-hourevent concluded, our Junior Leaders had contributedover 50 of their own money toward Abilene Gives.When we started our Abilene Gives social mediacampaign in April, our members encouraged you to GIVE- to invest in our mission, to invest in change for thechildren in our community, to invest in the women ofJLA - and GIVE YOU DID! So, thank you, Abilene. Thankyou for investing in our vision for the community. Thankyou for supporting the women of the Junior League ofAbilene.The impact is greater when #AbileneGives.Tiffany LoftinPresident-Elect-Elect, Junior League of Abilene4jrleagueabilene.com
Membership2019 PROVISIONAL CLASS*It has been a historic time in our League! With a record-breaking class size, we have seen a significant increase inmembership. The Association of Junior Leagues International has said, “Junior League women make things happen.They are able to do this because of the skills and experience they obtain through membership.” Joining the Leaguemeans joining a group of women to bring collective community change. It was an honor leading these new membersand I am hopeful for the renewed spirit they bring to our League!Emerald Cassidy2018-19 New Member Chairman, Junior League of AbileneKRISTI ALLGOODCORNELIA ALVAREZTIMBER BARKLEYMIA BARNES“I’ve learned that I am a strongleader, wife, mother, friend,daughter, and sister that iscapable of moving mountains.”“There’s more work to be doneand issues to be addressed thatI’m looking forward to JuniorLeague Abilene being a part of.”“Altruism has become a keycomponent to my life andjoining Junior League aided mein this personal growth. It’s anamazing organization.”“Finding a place to BOTH giveback AND model communityconnection for my childrenmade League the perfect fit.”MOLLIE BRANCHBRITTANY BROWNKENDRA CHOWNINGRONICA COLDIRON“I wanted to find a way to getplugged in and as a result, Inow feel like I have an amazingcommunity of women and trulyfeel like I am at home.”“I love working alongside otherlike-minded women to createpositive change in our localcommunity.”“By joining as a new member,I’ve learned how involved theJunior League is on our localcommunity.”“Since joining Junior League,I’ve learned how much more Ienjoy doing action work.”Hometown: Stephenville, TXHometown: Hot Springs, AR*as of June 1, 2019Hometown: Peoria, ILHometown: Gruver, TXHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Sweetwater, TX5Hometown: Paso Robles, CAHometown: Sweetwater, TX
AMBER COONRODCRYSTAL COXMATTIE DEVRIESNICOLE EAVES“I’ve learned how much Leaguehas benefited our communityover the years such as theBluebonnet Room at CPS.”“I have always had compassionfor women and children in needand the JLA service projectswork to fill those needs.”“I’ve discovered how importantit is to me that my childrensee me volunteering and beingactive in our community.”“Since joining I’ve learnedthat there are so many peoplewilling to help find solutions toservings those in need.”ALICIA ENGLISHSHANNON GANNAWAYKATE GONZALESMISTI HAUGER“There’s more work to be doneand issues to be addressed thatI’m looking forward to JuniorLeague Abilene being a part of.”“One of the reasons I joinedLeague was because I wantedto get into an all-women groupto network.”“I was amazed to learn themany great non-profits theLeague has been responsiblefor starting and maintaining.”“Before joining and serving asa volunteer, I was unaware ofthe amount of food insecurity inAbilene.”DENISE HERNANDEZFELICIA HERNANDEZESTEFANIA HOBSONSARAH HOLT“How I serve my communitydoes not always look the sameas how others serve, yet weall play an important role inimproving our communities.”“I joined the League because Iheard of the good that they didfor the community and I wantedto be a part.”“I’ve learned so much aboutthe Abilene community. Theone thing that was truly eyeopening was learning theamount of kids that identify ashomeless.”“Since I am a stay-at-homeMom, attending JLA functionshas given me the opportunity tohave something outside of myhome to call my own.”Hometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Peoria, ILHometown: San Antonio, TXHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Dublin, TXHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Tuscola, TXHometown: Rochester, TXHometown: Chillicothe, TX6Hometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Crockett, TXHometown: Mineral Wells, TX
CAMILLA HUNDLEYHILARY INCEASHLEY JACQUESERICA JARA“I joined to get know a new citythe best way I know how: bymaking friends and making animpact on the lives of peoplethrough volunteerism.”“I’ve learned that I really canbecome a part of the communityin a short time through League,and I’m really enjoying it!”“I’ve made lasting friendshipsand have challenged myself toadventures that I never wouldhave done before.”“I have learned to share myvoice even when I feel a littleintimidated and know it isperfectly fine to be different orthe same.”MELINDA JORDANMARY-MELISSA KEILMARY KLEINHANNAH LANTRIP“Since joining I’ve learned thateven with as painfully shy andintroverted I am, I can still havefun in large groups.”“I love how we can bring ourideas to the table about ways toimprove our systems in order tohelp the community better.”“I’ve gained a community ofstrong women who care abouteach other, cheer each otheron, and are focused on makingAbilene a better place for kids.”“Since joining League I havelearned how to be more openand giving to others. I enjoyserving in the community.”RACHEL LANTRIPMYKAELA LARASUZANNE LENHARDTHAILEY LINN“I’ve learned that there arealways people who understandwhat you are going throughand build you up with love andencouragement.”“Since joining Junior LeagueI’ve learned what to make apriority and making a positiveimpact is at the top of my list.”“Christmas Carousel has beenmy favorite project to workon because it brings so manypeople together like Leaguemembers, local businesses,and the community.”“I loved helping with RhinestoneRound Up Derby and havingthe opportunity to contributemy talents to help raise fundsbenefiting League projects.”Hometown: Vienna, VAHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Possum Kingdom Lake, TXHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Aledo, TXHometown: Henrietta, TXHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Livonia, MI7Hometown: Navarre Beach, FLHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Abilene, TX
MEGAN LONGMIREWENDY LORENZJENNIFER MAHONEYMEGAN MCCASLIN“I joined Junior League to gainnew friends while also makingour community a better place.”“I wanted to join League topartner with and share serviceopportunities giving advantagesto our youth and community.”“My heart is in feeding thosewho go hungry, but especiallychildren. I knew by joining thatI would have the opportunity toserve in that capacity.”“I’ve learned that I am trulygrateful for this little town ofAbilene, and want to do whateverI can to make it an even moreamazing place to live.”LOLA MCKINDLESCRYSTAL MENESESMALANEY O’CONNELLRYANN OHNHEISER“There is always something tolearn and even the smallercontributions can make adifference.”“I’ve always wanted to join, butthought I couldn’t commit thetime. League has been flexibleas I commute from Sweetwaterto Abilene for meetings.”“I have learned that so manyin our community have the willto serve especially among themembership in League.”“I wanted to join League to getinvolved in the community ina positive way and meet newwomen with aligning interests.”ANNA PETERSJENNIFER PETERSONCHELSEA PHILLIPSCHELSEA RICO“I joined League becausemy passion in life is givingto others. I love that I can dothat alongside other dynamicwomen!”“Being an Abilene native I knowa lot, but by joining League ithas allowed me to know moreabout the history of programswe help support.”“It’s satisfying to be a part ofsomething bigger than myself.While I may not be the craftiestor most organized, I still have arole in making our communitythe best it can be.”“I am a teacher, so I see theneeds of children in ourcommunity every day. I wantedto volunteer in different waysthan I am able to at school.”Hometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Iron Mountain, MIHometown: Whittier, CAHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Salt Lake City, UTHometown: Sweetwater, TXHometown: Crane, TXHometown: Abilene, TXHometown: Hawley, TX8Hometown: Abilene, TXHometown: San Antonio, TXHometown: Abilene, TX
STEPHANIE ROBINSONKELSEY SCHROEDERCHARITY SHAVERCARRIE SMITH“It’s been great attending andvolunteering at the events thatsupport the various nonprofitsin Abilene.”“Junior League has shownme countless ways to make adifference in our town.”“Since joining I’ve learned thatI am stronger and have moreto offer our community than Ioriginally thought.”“I have made some amazingfriendships, but the real gifthas been seeing all of our hardwork in the community pay off.”TIFFANY SMITHCASSIDY SOOTERWENDY TAMEZSARAH THOMAS“I’ve learned, that if I can pushmy shyness aside, I canaccomplish wonderful thingsfor this town with a group ofwonderful women.”“Paying it forward is importantto me. I’ve found strong heartslike mine in JLA with whomI can join forces and make ithappen!”“I may not always have all theanswers, but I can lean onother strong women in ourLeague for those answers.”“I joined Junior League so thatI could be a part of helping mycommunity grow and thrive.”Hometown: Harker Heights, TXHometown: Hawley, TXHometown: Austin, TXHometown: Austin, TXHometown: Seminole, TXHometown: Houston, TXHometown: Baird, TXHometown: Abilene, TXBecoming a member of theJunior LeagueProspective member socials kick off thefirst Sunday in May and then continue tobe held throughout the summer. Checkour Facebook page for event details!ERIKA THORNTONMELISSA YARBROUGH“I have been looking for avolunteer organization to joinfor the past few years. When afriend told me about League, Iknew it was exactly what I waslooking for. ”“I have learned there are manypeople and organizations willingto pitch in and help out. Andthat’s where the Junior Leagueplays an important role.”Hometown: Billings, MTHometown: Lawn, TXContact Jama Cadle, the 2019-20 NewMember Chairman, at fryj@acu.edu formore information on membership withthe Junior League of Abilene.9
JLA ProjectsOUR COMMUNITY INITIATIVESGrowth is underway in the Backpacks for Kids program!The community will know see a new name, “Snack Pak 4Kids”. With the new name comes a new relationship withour food supplier Love and Care Ministries. The Leaguewill be voting in September to opt in to this change so wecan provide healthier food for our kids at a lower cost.Last year we sponsored an average of forty-two studentsfrom Reagan and Bassetti Elementary Schools eachweek. This year we plan to sponsor at least seventy-five!Snack Pak 4 Kids is just getting started in Abilene, andwe are excited to help launch the program. While thisprogram is currently only in local elementary schools,we plan to expand into every area middle and highschool, focusing more on students as a whole instead ofgroups in specific schools. By partnering with Love andCare, we will be more efficient in helping the community.Besides providing funding and Snack Paks for students,we will also provide v
Taylorof five) are currently living in poverty, and, in Taylor R. Tomanka 2019-20 President, Junior League of Abilene Summer 2019 3 jrleagueabilene.com If women understood and exercised thei
