Dear Members and Friends of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As we embark on another year of service and commitment to our beloved community, I am honored to address you as the President of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County.

Being a native Gainesvillian, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the rich history and spirit of service that defines our community. It fills me with immense pride to be a product of a place with such a strong tradition of caring for one another. I’m not just a member; I’m a mother  who deeply cares about making Northeast Georgia an even better place for my daughter to grow up.

Our mission, “The Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County is committed to making Northeast Georgia a better place for children and families. Acting as a catalyst for positive change, we seek new opportunities to impact our community,” serves as our guiding light. It reminds us of the tremendous responsibility and privilege we carry as stewards of progress in this region.

At the heart of our mission lies our commitment to serve the community. We believe that by serving others, we not only uplift those in need but also enrich our own lives. It is through selfless acts of kindness and the pursuit of positive change that we truly understand the power of community and the strength that can be found in unity.

Membership in the Junior League is a testament to your dedication to this cause. It represents your commitment to creating a brighter future for the children and families of Northeast Georgia. It symbolizes your belief in the transformational power of collective action and your readiness to lead by example.

As we move forward, let us draw inspiration from these wise words: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

In the spirit of unity and community, I am pleased to share with you our 2023-2024 Community Impact Goals. This year, we have set our sights on the following objectives:

1. Feeding Our Future:  We aspire to add two additional pantries within our local school systems, with each pantry capable of supporting up to 50 families.
2. Diaper Bank of North Georgia:  We aim to distribute 120,000 diapers throughout our community, and we hope to add two partner agencies while continuing our bi-monthly distributions.
3. Done in A Day Project:   Our goal is to identify and partner with 3-5 new community organizations, including non-profits, schools, or other service agencies.
4. 2026 Signature Grant:  We will continue funding our next Signature Grant cycle. This grant is disbursed every five years to a project or program that directly promotes the mission of the Junior League.

I am excited to work alongside each one of you as we embark on this journey, driven by our 2023-2024 Community Impact Goals. Your dedication, passion, and enthusiasm are the cornerstones of our league’s success, and I have no doubt that we will achieve remarkable outcomes in the year ahead.

Thank you for being part of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County, and I look forward to the incredible impact we will create together in the coming year.

Warmest regards,

Darby Jackson Shank 

President 2023-2024

Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County