After 75 years of giving, Junior League will give a party

YAKIMA, Wash. — Seventy-five years of service.

Three-quarters of a century of raising funds and training volunteers, advocating for women and children, supporting community programs and projects -- and making friends and having fun along the way.

Tonight, the women of the Junior League of Yakima celebrate their history at their organization's diamond anniversary dinner.

The banquet begins at 6 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel Yakima Center and will feature a guest speaker -- at-large director Joanne Johnson Felt -- from the New York City-based Association of Junior Leagues International, as well as nearly eight decades' worth of photographs documenting the local organization's legacy of charitable works.

"I am so proud of us, that we have been around this long, that there have been women like us doing this kind of work for the community for 75 years," says 33-year-old Marcie Ehlis, an 11-year member of Yakima's chapter.

"We're still here, and I'm so proud," she says. "We do a lot."

Since its inception in 1934, the Junior League of Yakima has given nearly $500,000 to community projects, organizations and scholarships. Since 2000, the group has given approximately $70,000, says Veronica Peery.

The 25-year-old has been a member for two years. When she joined, she was new to town and interested in networking and meeting new people.

In its early days, women had to be invited to join. Now, they don't have to know someone to get in. The group is open to women who are at least 21 years old, of all races, religions and national origins, and committed to helping their communities through volunteer work.

"I think there's something for every member," says Peery, adding she was pleased to find women from diverse professional backgrounds -- bankers, nurses, teachers and attorneys among them -- as well as a wide variety of ages. "I've really found some mentors through League."

Members range in age from their 20s through their 80s and 90s. Worldwide, there are about 160,000 women in nearly 300 chapters in four countries.

Locally, there are about 300 members. Of those, about 120 are active members; the others are sustaining members.

Dues are $100 per year. "Sustainers," as longtime members are nicknamed, pay $80 per year.

"We all have our strengths and our weaknesses and our fears and the things we are courageous about," says 31-year-old Lacy Heinz, incoming vice president of community service and a four-year member.

"It's a group of women who get their hands dirty and really get in and make a difference," says 38-year-old Tahni Kalina, a 14-year member. "You feel like your time is not wasted."

In 2001, Kalina chaired the group's biggest fundraiser, "A Case of the Blues and All That Jazz." The event, sponsored in conjunction with the Yakima Greenway Foundation, features music, wines and microbrews, and a silent auction. It's held each August in Yakima's Sarg Hubbard Park and draws about 3,500 people. This year marks the 17th annual benefit, which started in 1993.

The group's mission has always been educational and charitable, promoting volunteerism and developing female leaders. Its first project involved running a nursery for children of migrant and cannery workers. Its latest project, currently in its beginning stages, focuses on fighting childhood obesity.

Bunker Frank, a longtime member, is looking forward to tonight's festivities: "What I'm looking forward to is sitting back and getting a composite picture of the adaptability of a community organization to the changing lives of women over 75 years."

Frank, 65, a past president of the local league, lauds the group for its leadership training and experience, saying it prepared her for serving on the Yakima School Board, of which is she a former member, and the Washington State Board of Education, of which she is a current member.

Amy McKinny, the outgoing president of the group, will emcee the celebration.

"I hope I don't cry (tonight)," says the 36-year-old substitute teacher and 14-year League member. "It's very emotional to me. Our projects have left a very big impact in the community."

Junior League through the years

1934 -- About 30 women meet at Yakima's Commercial Hotel to organize the club. By May, Junior Aid of Yakima is ready to operate a nursery for children of cannery and migrant workers.

1958 -- After 24 years, the nursery closes.

1962 -- The group acquires the Gilbert Warehouse and makes a 10-year commitment to improve the structure, leading to the creation of the Allied Arts Council. The two groups begin to convert the warehouse into a venue for arts and cultural events.

1970 -- Junior Aid donates $10,000 toward historic preservation of the Capitol Theatre.

1981 -- The group becomes a member of the Association of Junior Leagues.

1984 -- Junior League of Yakima establishes its annual $1,000 scholarship.

1990 -- The chapter donates $20,000 to Allied Arts for remodeling and adding to the Warehouse Theatre.

1993 -- "A Case of the Blues and All That Jazz" is conceived as a collaborative fundraiser with the Yakima Greenway Foundation.

2003 -- The chapter produces its "Fresh from the Valley" cookbook.

2006 -- The chapter donates $1,910 to Rod's House, a drop-in center for runaway teens slated to open this year.

-- On the Web: www.juniorleagueofyakima.org.