Junior League of Detroit Names Board of Directors

The Junior League of Detroit (JLD) has announced this year’s board of directors, along with its decision to join the and recommit to the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The 2011-12 board of director members are Ann Turnbull, president; Therese M. Bellaimey, president elect; Katherine Kerwin, secretary; Dana Zolynsky, treasurer; Kelli Carney, assistant treasurer; Leslie Martin, sustainer director; Chinyere Crutcher, community director; Lisa Spinelli Partogian, community trustee; Michele Tiderington, membership director; Dana Murphy, membership trustee; Jennifer Toole, communications director and Diana Greenwood, sustainer trustee.

Turnbull began her volunteer career in 1993 with Today’s Chicago Woman’s Foundation, which led to fundraising for Riverside Junior Woman’s Club and the Junior League of Chicago. In 2002, Turnbull joined the Junior League of Detroit.

Renewing the JLD's membership with the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce allows Junior League members the opportunity to attend the Chamber’s Leadership Detroit class. Bellaimey, president-elect of the JLD, is continuing the commitment for members to take advantage of the class and will continue the trend for an even greater level of involvement with the City of Detroit, the group said in a release.

The Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce will provide the JLD with more networking outlets in the Grosse Pointe community. Both Chambers have a strong Internet presence, which will attract new members and assist the JLD with its fundraising efforts, the group said.

“The Junior League of Detroit is very pleased to be members of both organizations and looks forward to working with the Chambers to further the JLD’s presence in the community and our work with the children of Detroit,” said Turnbull in a release.

In November 2010, the JLD launched a new annual fundraiser, the , featuring more than 50 wreaths designed and donated by area designers, decorators, artists, and community members. The wreaths were auctioned off and the funds raised benefited Project Literacy.

The and will include designer wreaths, topiaries and other holiday decorations for sale, along with family-friendly activities, including cookie decorating and live reindeer on-site. That evening, a cocktail party and wreath auction will be held, with all proceeds supporting a full year of weekly art classes at Edison Elementary and Charles Wright Academy in Detroit through a partnership with Art Roads Nonprofit.

Along with the Festival of Wreaths, the JLD holds the biannual Designers’ Show House, which began in 1976 and has enabled the JLD to provide more than $3,200,000 to the Detroit community The 2010 Designers’ Show House raised almost $200,000 and attracted close to 9,000 visitors to the show house. The next show house will open to the public in May 2012.

In 2009, the JLD began to focus its efforts on literacy programming within the 48215 zip code on the east side of Detroit. This year the JLD will continue those efforts through bimonthly events at local schools and libraries. These  educational programs for children encourage socialization and a commitment to read, learn, and participate in discussions of new ideas and concepts.

The JLD grants up to $25,000 each year to various community projects and programs that contribute to improving the life within the Detroit Metropolitan Area. Awards are granted quarterly to nonprofit organizations serving the citizens of Detroit and Wayne County. Traditionally, these awards have aided fledgling or grass-roots organizations as well as established organizations that have a specific need, but have been unable to find funding.

More information about the JLD can be found on their website at jldetroit.org.