Happy Anniversary to us!

Forty years ago the Huntsville Junior Service League was conceived as a result of a dinner party at the home of Judi Richards.  The founding members Katherine Dowling, Sharon Driessner, Jane Henderson, DJ Hinton, Jane Monday, Patty Praytor, Joan Shaddock and Judi Richards held the first meeting shortly after and invited two friends each to join the newly formed league.  The Junior Service League of Huntsville began its first official year in 1975 with forty-eight enthusiastic members.

The incorporation of the Junior Service League of Huntsville by the State of Texas in July 1976 was the first step towards achieving a tax-exempt status.  The status was granted to the League in July 1977.

The League voted to rescue the floundering Christian Outreach Missionary Endeavor Employment Center as its first service project.  The tiny building was refurbished and the operation reorganized with League members working morning shifts each weekday.  In six months, after receiving 620 applications and placing 73 individuals in jobs, the League had clearly demonstrated the need for a Texas Employment Commission office in Huntsville, which was opened in the summer of 1976.

The ladies of Huntsville JSL have been working hard to serve the community ever since!  Projects through the years include CPR certification classes, participation in Fair on the Square, Special Kids Rodeo, Senior Center Bingo, Christmas Hospice Dinners, SAAFE House Toy Drive, Backpack Project, Head Start Food Drive and Angel Tree, Mobile Food Truck and more.  In the past forty years, the league has also donated more than $220,000 to support local charities.  There are simply too many projects to list here, but stay tuned for weekly posts to celebrate our history.

Cheers to 40 years passed and 40 more to come!!

*Thanks to Ink Slingers for the 40th Anniversary logo!