Junior Women's League of Smithfield Provisional Members Complete Projects to Benefit Johnston County Foster Children and Senior Adults

Smithfield, N.C. --  The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield (JWL) has seen months of hard work by its newest members come to fruition with the completion of two projects by its provisional members to address the needs of foster care children and senior adults in Johnston County.

JWL's provisional members from the Adopt a Golden Angel project provided 150 caddies to residents of Barbour Court Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Over the past year, long term care facilities have been hit especially hard; in North Carolina, there were 50,476 COVID cases and 5,009 deaths within the 710 facilities affected. With that in mind, these Provisional Members were determined to meet the needs of elderly individuals residing in Barbour Court. Provisional members raised funds, collected donated items, and sewed 150 caddies for seniors' wheelchairs and walkers that they filled with a variety of items to provide comfort and stimulation for the recipients. Melissa Brown, Adopt a Golden Angel co-chair, said, “It warmed our hearts to be able to participate in a project that helped so many senior citizens. Every woman in this group loved spending their time and effort to bring some happiness to local senior citizens, particularly during this year when many couldn’t visit with their families.” 

Through a collaborative effort of fundraising and donation collections by the Junior Women's League of Smithfield's second group of provisional members, the Fostering with Dignity project was able to provide more than 260 duffle bags complete with personal items for children when they enter foster care in Johnston County. By promoting awareness of Johnston County’s foster care population and their needs, they also received clothing donations which will be used to provide children in foster care with a clothing closet.  “This was a project close to everyone’s heart. We would like to thank everyone in the community who supported Fostering with Dignity and our efforts to bring a sense of dignity and belonging to children and adolescents during a time of chaos and separation in their lives," said co-chairs Shanna Capps and Hope McFarland.

JWL is now accepting applications from prospective new members through July 31, 2021. Interested women ages 22 and older who’d like to make a difference in Johnston County are encouraged to attend New Member Interest Meetings, the details of which can be found on our website and social media. For more information about the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield and its initiatives, please visit  www.JWLSmithfield.com or email JWLSmithfield@gmail.com. 

About The Junior Women's League of Smithfield

The Junior Women's League of Smithfield (JWL) is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action of trained volunteers. Our organization was founded in Smithfield, but is dedicated to the betterment of all communities within Johnston County.  Since the League’s establishment in February 2016, JWL has awarded $117,000 in Community Impact Grants to Johnston County nonprofit organizations and completed more than 10,600 hours of community service.  

PICTURED: Junior Women’s League of Smithfield Adopt a Golden Angel Committee Members Sandra Gregory, Elaine Rodriguez, Emily Cayton and Melissa Brown and employees of Barbour Court Nursing & Rehabilitation Center display some of the caddies that will be distributed to the 150 individuals who reside there.

Pictured, L to R: 

Junior Women’s League of Smithfield Fostering with Dignity Committee Members Tracy Hadjipetrou, Hope McFarland, Kate Byrd, and Shanna Capps; 

Scott Sabatino, Johnston County Department of Social Services Director

Amy Keith, Supervisor: Children Services Foster Home Licensing, Links, & Foster Care 18-21

Angela Wolbert, Social Worker Children Services Foster Home Licensing

Alexis Blue-Wilson, Social Worker Children Services Foster Home Licensing

Tabitha Bannerman, Social Worker Children Services Foster Home Licensing

Kelly Davis, Social Worker Children Services Foster Home Licensing