2003-2004

The Junior League of El Paso achieved many tangible victories, celebrated a trio of important milestones and thrived as a public organization throughout the year. A Christmas Fair 2003 marked the 30th anniversary of the holiday gift market facilitating over 150 merchants and a successful revival of the “Fabulous Follies”. A Follies variety show had not been attempted since 1973, but the League overcame the risk and easily trained eighty Active, Provisional and Sustaining members to perform before a delighted audience of more than 600 in late October. As Seasoned with Sun celebrated its thirtieth birthday, the membership concluded a year-long tribute to the League’s 70-year existence in El Paso.

The fundraising team on RDC solicited sponsors and generated cash donations of more than $110,000.00 for future programs and projects; additionally the first comprehensive Fundraising Plan was authored to assist in the recruitment, analysis and application of financial resources. Direct community involvement, the heart and soul of the Junior League’s work, was executed through seven Quality of Life projects: Alzheimer’s Auxiliary, El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, Holocaust Docents, Independence House Mentors, Kid Matters, MediPals and Music Therapy for the Elderly. At the close of the year in April, the Provisional Class developed the Bite of the Border, a new and innovative fundraiser that joined the public fundraising umbrella in 2004-2005. The League’s legacy of identifying and satisfying the needs of the El Paso community is what perpetuates JLEP’s longevity and it is also why they have been El Paso’s Timeless Treasure since 1933.