In Action

Executive Board

President – Stacy Boyles
President Elect – Stephanie Helline
Sustainer Council Vice President – Barb Cockroft
Secretary – Rachel Ribbe
Treasurer – Mindy Leaman

Current Major Project

This year, The Junior League of Stark County is focused on Women and Children issues in Stark County.  We are focusing on Kids in the Kitchen programs and various community impact initiatives throughout Stark County. 

 

Past Projects

Since 1937, the Junior League of Stark County has completed projects in the Stark County community affecting children, women, senior citizens, the urban and natural environment, education, cultural arts and healthy families. Below is a summary of our projects over the past few years.

2009-2010 League Year

Major Community Project

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. collaborated with the Stark County Hunger Task Force (SCHTF) to improve and expand their Senior Pantry Program and Backpacks for Kids Program.

2010-2011 League Year

Major Community Project

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. collaborated with Pathway Caring for Children to host a Prom event for teenage foster children, plus monthly classes on topics such as budgeting, “dressing for success”, interview skills, dance lessons, and restaurant etiquette.

2011-2012 League Year

Major Community Project

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. collaborated with the Canton YWCA to improve relationships between parents and their children via the YWCA Kids Connect program.

2012-2013 League Year

Major Community Project

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. collaborated with Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Center to research the implementation of a sensory room for children with Sensory Processing Disorders. In addition, members provided many items to be included in the room itself. JLSC members also hosted a successful roundtable event for Stark County educators and professionals featuring guest speakers, as well as the presentation of information that had been gathered throughout the project.

2013-2014 League Year

Major Community Project

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. collaborated with the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon to bolster their “Be Great:  Graduate” program.  Throughout the year, members presented workshops on skills to help with college preparation, interview skills, networking, options for life after high school, and “what not to wear”.  Additionally, members were able to serve as trusted, caring adults to the program’s students.

2014-2015 League Year

Multiple Done In A Day Projects, Community Research, & Junior Leaders Grant

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. collaborated with several local agencies to plan and facilitate four fabulous Done In A Day Projects. In the fall, members transformed a conference room at Habitat for Humanity’s headquarters in to a children’s library and play room, for kids to utilize while their parents are in the building working through classes for home ownership. Later in the year, JLSC hosted a Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and Mrs. Claus event benefitting military families, and a Night at the Museum event benefitting the Girl Scouts. This spring, we got our hands dirty cleaning out and preparing the community garden at the Martin Center. In addition, the Strategic Planning Committee re-evaluated our project selection process, assessed community needs, vetted possible partners, and presented the info to members, resulting in a plan for a multi-year collaboration with the Martin Center. We also introduced the “Junior Leaders Community Service Grant” initiative, and awarded 2 grants totaling $5000 to 2 young ladies from Stark County. Both girls’ projects are benefitting YWCA of Canton.

2016-2017 League Year

The Junior League of Stark County has partnered with The Martin Center (TMC) for year 2 of a three year project to help youth in Canton, Ohio.  The Martin Center is a safe haven for at risk teens to go to for a hot meal, learning, mentorship, and fun.  The center serves over 300 visitors a month.  We utilized our first General Membership Meeting to hold a school supply drive for TMC. We wanted to provide packets that could be distributed throughout the year as a child’s school supplies ran out. Members formed an assembly line to package index cards, crayons, pens, pencils, and erasers into bags. We were also able to donate many packages of loose leaf paper. With everyone’s help, we were able to make approximately 75 bags within minutes!  Additionally, thanks to the hard work of our Grant Writing Committee, The Martin Center was able to receive a $25,000 Walmart grant to fund a high capacity kitchen. 

2017-2018 League Year

The Junior League of Stark County went through a Transformation Rollout with the assistance of AJLI to help determine a better focus for our League and provide impact to our members.  

We continued with a 3 year partnership with The Martin Center (TMC) – serving monthly meals, participated in the Trunk or Treat, decorated a nursery, and two Done in a Day events to prepare backpacks with snacks and personal items.  

We also held a Junior League book fair and partnered with Malone university for an America Reads program for kids. 

The annual fundraising event was a Night at the Races. 

2018-2019 League Year

The Junior League of Stark County began a partnership with The First Tee of Canton in support of our focus on food insecurity.  Programs included Par for the Kitchen and Fit to a Tee, a 5 week Kids in the Kitchen program to teach kids how to prepare food in the kitchen, knife skills, etc, while encouraging them to try new dishes.  

Active and Sustaining members also participated in Salvation Army kettle bell ringing over the holidays and volunteered with Canton Community Christmas.

We held our second Night at the Races fundraising event. 

2019-2020 League Year

Continuing Kids in the Kitchen with The First Tee of Canton.  We welcomed 10 participants in the fall session.

Implemented Wine Down Wednesday events to socialize with members, and watch food related documentaries to increase awareness of food security issues.

Over 3500 diapers were purchased and sent to the Stark County diaper bank. Sustaining Member and Founder of the Stark County Diaper Bank, Susan English Hexamer shared information about the Diaper bank at our April Virtual GMM.

Women’s clothing drive for women at Deliverance House, an adult female residential treatment program in Canton.  

Participated in Operation Impact@ Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and held a Quarter Auction fundraiser. 

2023-2024 League Year