Wednesday, February 13, 2024 | The Leader

Volunteers who donate their time and talent to non-profit organizations and charities provide an invaluable service. From education, health care, primary services, parks, the arts, and more, these dedicated volunteers improve and often change the lives of people in their community.

The Junior League of Houston is one of these invaluable organizations. It focuses exclusively on educational and charitable activities. The Junior League of Houston maintains a tradition initiated in 1925 by twelve visionary women, aiming to fund a well-baby clinic for underserved children. Over time, this clinic has evolved into the Junior League Health Care Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital, while the League has expanded to include 4,000 members. The organization remains equally dedicated to fostering the potential of women and enhancing the community, mirroring the commitment of its founders from nearly a century ago. Strategic and meaningful relationships with local hospitals and other medical resources continue today.

Amanda Hanks Bayles, a resident of Oak Forest, is currently the 100^th President of the Junior League of Houston and has served in several volunteer capacities since 2013. Bayles has also served as a Board Member of the Alzheimer’s Association, Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and received two degrees from Texas Tech University – an MBA from the Rawls College of Business and a Doctor of Law from the School of Law. She is a senior counsel in corporate law.

Bayles told the Leader, “My goal for the Junior League of Houston is to continue its vast outreach within the Houston community while cultivating an inclusive culture focused on developing women leaders for our great community. I’ve encouraged our members to use our 99th year to learn more about our history, celebrate our accomplishments and set intentions for our next 100 years.” She is grateful for the current volunteers and the thousands of women who have volunteered in the past. The Junior League seeks to cultivate a lifetime of civic service.

The organization supports 32 community projects by providing volunteers, financial support, and grants. An example of groups that have benefited from the Junior League’s support include the Houston Child Guidance Center Library; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Museum of Natural Science; the Buffalo Bayou Coalition; the Houston Public Library; Covenant House; Child Advocates, Inc.; Habitat for Humanity; the Houston Area Women’s Center; Houston’s Ronald McDonald House; and the SuperKids Pediatric Mobile Clinic Program.

The Junior League looks forward to celebrating its Centennial Anniversary in 2025. In preparation for the upcoming celebrations, the Junior League’s Tea Room will be renovated this summer.

Fundraising events are critical to the success of non-profit groups, and the Junior League hosts several notable events each year to support its operations at its home, located at 1811 Briar Oaks Lane. This spring, several events will be held at the Tea Room. Just in time for the Rodeo, “Boots and Bling: A Girls’ Night Out” will be held Thursday, February 22, and offer shopping, music, and light bites with champagne.

“A Bubbly Day at the League” will be held Sunday, March 24. The event offers two seatings – the first with a three-course brunch, and the second with a traditional afternoon tea service and mimosas, wine, and champagne. The featured guest boutique will offer all participants a chance to see the latest fashions in an informal modeling presentation.

On Thursday evening, April 4, “Meals with Malcolm” will offer a curated spring-forward menu with wine pairings. “Fajitas and Ritas Night” will be held Sunday, April 21, with activities for both adults and children and a menu of fajitas, soft drinks, and margaritas. “Mother’s Day Lunch,” an elegant buffet presented in the Ballroom, will be held Sunday, May 12.

The 76^th Annual Charity Ball held February 2-3 – “Enchanted: An Evening Once Upon A Time” – raised over $800,000 for the organization. The two-evening event included live music, auctions of donated items, experiences, and trips, and local notable emcees Briana Conner, an ABC13 reporter and anchor, and journalist Brandi Smith. Bayles remarked, “We are so grateful to those who attended and supported this event! For every dollar raised, the Junior League of Houston is able to triple its value by pairing funding with trained volunteers.”

Please visit the Junior League’s website at jlh.org to locate event information, the Tea Room menu, and to learn how to become a volunteer or Team Room patron member.