Past Projects and Partners

Over the years, the Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region has worked with numerous organizations in the area. Below you will find a list of Community Projects the league has undertaken since 1929. 

2010 – Present:

  • Funds given to St. Mary’s of Michigan Asthma Camp, Field Neuroscience Institute Buckle Your Brain Program, Kids Run the Nation and Covenant Healthcare Foundation Perinatal Bereavement Program, Boys & Girls Club of Saginaw County, First Ward Community Service, St. Mary's of Michigan, Emmaus House, Major Cords for Minors, Midland County Educational Service Agency, Saginaw YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
  • Donated $30,000 to the Children’s Zoo to design and build the new Rainforest Run playground to promote healthy lifestyles
  • Held a dinner at the McNally House (Hospitality House) for its residents
  • Held diaper drives to donate diapers to local agencies in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland
  • Sponsored Christmas Parties at the Bay Area Women’s Shelter and for the CASA children
  • Helped staff a few different “Runs” in Saginaw, including the MCVI Run for Your Heart, the Covenant Kids Run and Girls on the Run
  • Held Kids in the Kitchen events to educate children and families on healthy eating choices
  • Collected baby items such as clothing, blankets, and toys for Covenant Hospital and The Baby Pantry to be given out to mothers in need
  • Collaborated with the YMCA for Healthy Kids Day

2000 – 2009:

  • Funds given to the American Red Cross, the READ Association of Saginaw County, the Midland Shelterhouse, YWCA of Bay County, Lutheran Child and Family Services, Saginaw Survivors of Suicide Support Group, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, Boundless Playground of Kochville Township, Michigan Youth Leadership, Saginaw County Commission on Aging, Exceptional Horseback Riders of Saginaw County, Emmaus House, STCS Multi Sensory Room, Innerlink, Hospitality House, Mid Michigan Childrens Museum, Saginaw Valley Zoological Society, Holy Cross Childrens Services, Conners Autism Project, Saginaw Valley Zoological Society
  • Donated $40,000 to start the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program in Saginaw
  • Donated $30,000 to the Saginaw Art Museum for their Regional Education Wing
  • Started the Facing Forward, Journey into Womanhood mentoring program for at-risk teen women in collaboration with Creative 360 in Midland
  • Received the “Liberty Bell Award” from the Saginaw Lawyers Association for involvement with the CASA program
  • Received the “Child Advocate of the Year Award” from the Child Abuse and Neglect Council for involvement with the CASA program
  • Received the “Midwest Region Tabasco Award” for the JLSV cookbook
  • Established an Endowed Scholarship through the Saginaw Community Foundation
  • Held Kids in the Kitchen events to educate children and families on healthy eating choices
  • Adopted a family for Christmas
  • Collected clothes for “Dress for Success”
  • Sponsored a Christmas Party at the Bay Area Women’s Shelter

1990 – 1999:

  • Funds given to the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, East Side Soup Kitchen, Midland County Child Protection Council, Teen Challenge, Ruben Daniels Lifelong Learning Center, Saginaw Valley Zoological Society, Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Gallery, Saginaw Community Enrichment Commission, City Rescue Mission, Mitten Bay Girl Scouts, Saginaw Art Museum, the Underground Railroad, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, First Ward Community Center
  • Donated $10,000 for the Murphy Farmhouse Renovation at Hartley Outdoor Education Center
  • Donated $10,000 to DARE with the Saginaw Police Department
  • “The Wise Penny” thrift shop closed after 58 years
  • Sponsored a clinic to immunize 150 children
  • Collaborated with the Saginaw County United Way and the Voluntary Action Center on the Success by Six Program
  • Participated in an “Adopt-a-Highway” project clean up
  • Started the “Are You OK?” telephone reassurance program for senior citizens in Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City

1980 – 1989:

  • Funds given to the Child Receiving Home, Temple Theater Arts Association, Saginaw Art Museum, Voluntary Action Center, First Ward Community Center, Neighborhood Housing Service, Saginaw Valley Food Bank, Historical Museum, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Greater Saginaw Amateur Hockey Association, Adolescent Pregnancy Media Campaign
  • “The Wise Penny” Thrift Shop celebrated 50 years of operation
  • First Festival of Trees Fundraiser held in 1987
  • Donated $50,000 to help create the Saginaw Community Foundation in 1984.
  • Opened the Hospital Hospitality House in 1984
  • Donated $10,000 for the revitalization of the Temple Theater
  • Substance Abuse training program turned over to the Saginaw County Information Center on Alcoholism
  • Temple Theater Children’s Matinee Series turned over to the Temple Theater

1970 – 1979:

  • Funds given to PRIDE
  • First Decorator Showhouse was held in 1978 and raised over $40,000
  • Thrift Shop continued to thrive
  • A Learning Disabilities Tutorial Program was established in two Saginaw Township Schools
  • 20th Annual Foster Parents Tea was held
  • 24th Annual Thanksgiving Ball was held and name changed to the Holiday Ball
  • The American Wind Symphony played at Ojibway Island for two days as Junior League’s Bicentennial gift to the community
  • Held golf exhibitions with stars like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Stewart
  • Helped with the Grand Opening of the Civic Center (now the Dow Event Center) in 1972

1960 – 1969:

  • Funds given to the Museum, First Ward Community Center remodeling, Saginaw Civic Symphony Orchestra for a partial salary for business director, Saginaw Children’s Zoo Building Fund
  • Large sum given to the Saginaw Valley Rehabilitation Center
  • Established a Volunteer Bureau
  • Started work with Planned Parenthood and Youth Protective Services
  • A Friendship Club was established to provide a social experience for women recuperating from mental illness
  • Thrift Shop continued to thrive
  • Children’s plays, television shows, and lectures were put on
  • Hosted art exhibits at the Museum
  • 10th Annual Thanksgiving Ball

1950 – 1959:

  • Funds donated to the United Health and Welfare Fund, the American Red Cross, the Art Museum, the Crippled Children’s Camp
  • Large sum given to the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Saginaw
  • Hosted five Foster Mother’s Teas
  • Established a Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip Clinic
  • Donation given to the YMCA Building Fund
  • Children’s plays given and radio programs broadcast
  • A Thanksgiving Ball was started as an annual fundraiser in 1951

1940 – 1949:

  • Funds donated to the Board of Education, the Emergency Food Collection, the Saginaw Museum, the City Hospital, the Cancer Detection Clinic, Hartley Nature Camp, Pit and Balcony
  • Helped in opening the Saginaw Art Museum
  • Children’s oxygen tent presented to Saginaw General Hospital (now Covenant) in 1945
  • Established Community Radio Service
  • Children’s plays put on
  • Art exhibits given
  • Premature nursery given to Saginaw General Hospital (now Covenant) in 1940

1930 – 1939:

  • Thrift Shop opened in Saginaw in April 1939
  • Establishment of the First Ward Community Center in Saginaw in June 1930
  • Over 15 children’s plays were put on including: Sleeping Beauty, The Bremen Musicians, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin

1920 – 1929:

  • Decorating and equipping the Children’s Ward at Saginaw General Hospital (now Covenant)
  • The Junior Service League was organized in January 1929 and began with a membership of 12 women