LaPorte Service League is declaring “The Year of the Pink” as it moves into its 82nd season of volunteerism to benefit the community.
The League is an independent women’s organization that seeks to enrich the LaPorte area with community assistance programs, youth outreach and the arts. Members donate at least 50 hours of volunteer time each year in the organization’s many projects, where they wear trademark pink shirts. Currently there are 52 active and “honored” Service League members, and last year the membership contributed more than 4,700 hours.
Many efforts are being undertaken this year to broaden outreach and visibility, as well as to welcome new members and embrace new project opportunities.
The logo, which was created by member Kitty Wolf in the early 1990s, has been revised and is being featured on new shirts, cloth bags, etc. Members wore the new shirts while participating in food sales at the recent Dragon Boat races and Sunflower Fair. A new visual history banner also was displayed at the fair.
While each member still spends dozens of hours in community service, the projects have adjusted through the years. One early project led members into the schools, where they served up spoonsful of castor oil to the students. Currently, the League supports the schools with tutoring sessions at Handley School, eye screenings, and providing handmade fleece blankets for children who need comfort in stressful circumstances.
Next February, the organization will again provide a dental project in each preschool classroom in LaPorte Community Schools. Students will receive dental health kits and instruction on preventive care, tied in to the American Dental Association’s “Give Kids a Smile” program.
LaPorte Service League also is well known for its long history of bringing cultural plays to county students. Work will begin soon on the annual school play, Snoopy the Musical, which will be held in February 2015 in the LaPorte High School auditorium, directed by Lana Richardson. League members provide all aspects of the production, from set building to sound, reaching 3,000-5,000 students annually.
President Elizabeth Dekker said, “The play is just one of many wonderful projects that LaPorte Service League is pleased to bring to our community, in support of the arts and education.”
Other League artistic endeavors in October include working with the La Porte Library to present fun sessions for children during Lights Out at the Library, and ushering for the LaPorte Symphony Orchestra children’s concert.
Additional ongoing projects include Meals on Wheels deliveries, Bingo parties at the county home, bell ringing and cooking meals for the Salvation Army, collecting household items and purchasing diapers for Womens’ Care Center.
The League also plans to continue its popular Trivia Night event in April 2015. Funds raised help to provide scholarships and recognition to local students, including:
The La Porte Service League Scholarship is given to a high school senior who plans to major in theater, music, radio or TV direction or production, communications or a related field in fine arts.
The Kitty Wolf Scholarship honors dedication to the arts.
The Frances M. Rumely Memorial Award of Excellence is given annually to the senior woman who ranks first among the members of her class in all-around womanly qualities, including intellectual ability; steadfastness of character; capacity for leadership; and distinguished service to school and community.
For more information on LaPorte Service League, check out its new web page at www.laporteserviceleague.com or the organization’s Facebook page.