Newnan Junior Service League: Going strong for almost 100 years
Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON
Members of the Newnan Junior Service League are all smiles at their December Dinner last winter.
Nonprofit organizations constitute the foundation of communities all over the world, enriching lives and specializing in the unique needs of their distinct region. Coweta County boasts dozens of thriving nonprofits dedicated to bettering the community through various projects.
For nearly a century, the Newnan Junior Service League (NJSL) has been serving not only the residents of Coweta County but also other nonprofits in Coweta.
In 1926, NJSL was founded with the mission of enhancing and uplifting the community. Today, its 70 members include women from Newnan and surrounding cities. With a variety of different backgrounds and careers, the women of NJSL combine their experience and passions in order to positively impact the region, according to NJSL President Sara Powell.
Among the various ways NJSL serves Coweta is its grant program, its largest annual initiative. The grant recipient becomes the beneficiary of monies raised via multiple fundraising events throughout the year. When choosing its annual grant recipient, NJSL searches for nonprofits that have a specific project in need of funding.
For instance, the group’s 2023-2024 grant recipient, Coweta Samaritan Clinic, is raising money to purchase a dental X-ray unit to better assist their patients. The NJSL chose the clinic as the annual grant recipient in order to fund this goal, says Powell.
In order to raise funds for the annual grants, NJSL hosts two major fundraising events. In February, their Big Event: Mardi Gras Casino Night takes place at the Newnan Centre and features an array of classic casino games complete with funny money to spend, delicious food and drinks, and a silent auction.
Each April, the service league organizes Legends of the League Charity Golf Tournament. Through participation in this tournament, community members are able to support NJSL and Coweta County through friendly competition.
With monies raised through these events, the Newnan Junior Service League is able to make a large donation to its chosen grant recipient while also supporting its own scholarship program.
Each spring, NJSL awards scholarships to local girls graduating from high school with plans to attend college the coming fall. In 2024, NJSL awarded 10 scholarships to young ladies from the county’s three largest high schools: East Coweta High, Newnan High School and Northgate.
Newnan Junior Service League’s 40th Annual Can-A-Thon raised almost $57,000 for the Coweta Community Food Bank. The check was presented to representatives from One Roof Outreach at the group’s December Dinner. From left are NJSL Can-A-Thon chairs Taylor Weikle, Liz Blackburn and Madison Mantle, Gina Watkiss of The Heritage School, One Roof Director Ann Kerlin, Michelle Zackery of One Roof, NJSL Treasurer Erin Whitlock and NJSL 2023 President Jenna Sherman.
In the fall, NJSL holds its annual Can-a-Thon and Sporting Clay Shoot event. The service league partners with Coweta County School System to collect cans and non-perishable items, which are donated to the Coweta Community Food Pantry. Along with the in-school donations, NJSL sets up other donation locations in downtown Newnan and at Thomas Crossroads to maximize contributions.
Every October at Blalock Lakes in Newnan, NJSL supporters gather to participate in the Sporting Clay Shoot. Proceeds from this event support their Christmas in Newnan program, which provides essentials, toys, meals and clothing to children in the Coweta County Foster Care System each December.
On top of these impactful initiatives and events, members of Newnan Junior Service League participate in placement hours where they volunteer with other local nonprofits individually or as a group.
Powell says she values the extensive reach of the organization and its grant recipient program, which enables NJSL to spread their impact across multiple organizations.
“I think we’re constantly touching lives and improving our community through our volunteer hours and events,” she says.
From scholarships to grants to philanthropic events and fundraisers, events of the Newnan Junior Service League prove their members’ dedication to giving back to the community and bettering the lives of all who live in Coweta County.
For those interested in getting involved or helping with a fundraiser, visit njslserves.org. NCM
