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Holland Junior Welfare League (HJWL) began in 1932. From developing a cookbook in the 60's to establishing
'Kids on the Block' in the 80's, HJWL has gone through many changes
throughout the decades. Despite the changes, our mission has been steadfast; helping improve the welfare of children.
1932: HJWL was founded by Betty
Becker. There were 8 founding members. The first meeting was
held on November 3rd, 1932. Nineteen women attended. They
hosted 10 fundraiser events that first year including a charity
football game, a white elephant and bake sale and several dances.
Membership requirements were: to be voted in, have a college
degree or equivalent and to be no older than 30. During
the first decade needy families could apply for aid from HJWL.
Eye exams and glasses were also provided for many needy children.
Layettes and OB kits were donated to many women and their new
babies. Meetings were held on a weekly basis.
1940: HJWL was still providing
layettes, glasses and OB kits. Our organization began
providing "Christmas baskets" to needy families.
In 1940, the first children's play "Hans Brinker and the
Silver Skates" was held as a fund raiser. The Claire Tre
Major Production Company was hired to put this on at a cost
of $150. Admission was $0.25 for children and $0.35 for adults
-- a profit of $26 was made. The war brought some new
projects such as packing Red Cross kits for soldiers and knitting
turtleneck sweaters for Dutch servicemen. Servicemen dances
were held. Several members had to take "war leave"
as they left town with their husbands. Members spent
a lot of their time at meetings making crafts, etc. to be sold
at upcoming fundraisers. In 1946, $1,500 was disbursed
to Holland Hospital to go towards the purchase of several Hummel
bassinette units.
1950: Claire
Tre Major Productions were still being held each year until
1952. A wide variety of other fundraisers began including
a style show, candy sale, plum pudding sales and bridge parties.
HJWL began sponsoring "Kiddie Karnival" for all area
children.
1953:
HJWL was named one of the 250 Honor Clubs in the U.S. by the
national magazine "Women's Home Companion."
1954: Members began presenting
puppet shows at local elementary schools.
1955:
$1,150 was disbursed to Holland Hospital for the pediatric playroom
and $500 was given to Herrick Library.
1958:
The by-laws read that "membership applicants must be between
the ages for 21 and 35 and good workers." HJWL's
first "Follies" were held. Members spent months
producing and practicing for this variety show. The show was
performed for several nights to very receptive audiences. A
profit of $5,443.40 was made on this fundraiser.
1959:
Brought on the first Candy Cane Ball (Silver Bells was the theme)
and made a profit of $1,147.33. $5,000 was given to Herrick
Library for furnishing the children room and is now in the reading
carousel on the upper level.
1960:
Kiddie Karnival, Candy Cane Ball, Fruitcake and Candy sales
were still going on. HJWL was still providing layettes
and eyeglasses.
1961:
Work on a cookbook began.
1964:
The cookbook Eet Smakelijk is introduced and proves to be a
big success.
1969:
"The Follies" returns.
1970: Disbursements increase from
around $5,000 per year in the early '70s to over $15,000 per
year in the late '70s. The Charity Ball, fruitcake sales,
candy sales and Follies continue as fundraisers. Eet Smakelijk
also continues to be a huge success.
1973:
The Ottawa Area Center was the New Girls Project. Through this,
the OAC Christmas Party and Spring Carnival were born.
1976:
A bicentennial edition of Eet Smakelijk is published with a
copy presented to Susan Ford (President Gerald Ford's daughter)
during Tulip Time.
1977:
A record amount of cookbooks, 15,056, were sold in a 10 month
period.
1978:
The "Art Reaches Out" service project begins.
League members visit local elementary schools and introduce
children to famous artists and their work.
1979:
HJWL's disbursements increase to over $25,000.
1982: "The Kids on the Block"
are introduced. League members visit local schools with these
large, colorful puppets and talk with kids about issues that
are currently facing youth.
1989: First
"Festival of the Trees" fundraiser is held.
1990: Bowling fundraiser begins
1993:
Day Care books project begins.
1994:
A new cookbook committee is formed. The Festival Preview Luncheon
is added to the "Festival of the Trees" events.
1996:
The Dawn to Dusk cookbook is introduced. It becomes a
Tabasco Community Cookbook Award regional winner.
1997:
2,500 Dawn to Dusk cookbooks are sold on nationwide TV via the
QVC home shopping channel. "Festival of the Trees"
is renamed "Festival for the Children".
1999: The
first "Speaker Night" fundraiser is held hosting Chicken
Soup for the Soul author, Marci Shimoff. |
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