The Junior League of Phoenix, Inc. (JLP) is thrilled to announce that Kelly Larsen, 2022-24 Community Vice President, has been named the 2023 Rising Star Award recipient by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI).

The Rising Star is given to a member who demonstrates significant promise that is consistent with Junior League’s mission, vision and values. The award, which recognizes and celebrates emerging leaders from within the 293 independent Junior Leagues in four countries, was presented at AJLI’s 101st Annual Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

“We are so excited and proud for Kelly!” JLP President Kelly Kaysonepheth said. “Kelly is a rising star in our League, and we’re so excited and proud that AJLI saw this too.” Kelly Larsen was introduced by AJLI Immediate Past President Bett Williams who spoke about the selection committee’s resounding agreement on Kelly’s selection. Kelly was especially recognized for her work in leveraging the JLP’s Phoenix Food Day & HealthFest signature program by maintaining its momentum and reach in the community despite the challenges of COVID-19. Now a third-year Active, Kelly is in her two-year term serving as Community Vice President and as a member of the Management Team.

“Kelly has been a tremendous asset to the Management Team and always makes sure that everyone’s voices are heard and they are seen,” said Ashley Bunch, Executive Vice President. In her current placement, Kelly oversees five community programs and committees. She also serves as a key member on JLP’s Community Research & Development (CR&D) Subcommittee that finalized JLP’s new community partnerships under the new focus area of “Empowering Women & Girls” that will begin in June 2023.

As a part of the Rising Star award, Kelly was invited to attend AJLI’s Annual Conference and was recognized on stage at the AJLI Awards Banquet. Additionally, JLP will receive a grant for additional member training. She was nominated by Kelly Kaysonepheth and Ashley Bunch with endorsements from the JLP Board of Directors.

Congratulations, Kelly Larsen!

The Junior League of Phoenix is an approved nonprofit for Arizona Gives Day! Happening on April 4, Arizona Gives Day is an annual giving movement uniting nonprofits, big and small, new and established, to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona. We’re raising critical funds to support of our mission of building women leaders through meaningful community collaboration. Did you know that JLP’s new focus area is centered around programs that empower women and children? Show your support today and help push JLP over our fundraising goal.

 $25 – can help fund one girl to build confidence and leadership skills through our community partnership programs
 $50 – can support a teacher in a Title I school to be equipped with creative math and science lesson planning through our ROCKETS Teacher Launch Seminar
 $100 – can give peace of mind for one week to a single mother in Phoenix who is working to break the generational cycle of poverty, so that she can have gas and groceries, while building critical job skills through JLP’s community partnership programs
 $500 – can fund a one-day JLP leadership development training program for our members

Early giving begins March 14. You can donate now through April 4 to our Arizona Gives Day campaign to support JLP’s work and new focus area of empowering women and children. Every little bit helps to make our mission possible.

Donate to JLP

Have questions? Contact our President, Kelly Kaysonepheth at jlp.president@jlp.org

The Rummage Sale is JLP’s largest fundraiser, which attracted over 2,000 shoppers and raised almost $140,000 in 2022. Junior League of Phoenix has more than 800 active, sustaining and provisional members who donate and collect sale items throughout the year and contribute more than 1,500 volunteer hours to make the event possible. In its 86-year history, the Rummage Sale has raised more than $7 million, contributing to the JLP’s legacy of impact in the Phoenix area.

Thousands of items will be for sale, which regularly include: art; baby accessories and furniture; books; clothing for men, women, children and babies; collectibles; electronics; holiday items; home office supplies; housewares; furniture; kitchen and dining wares; lawn and garden supplies; sporting goods; toys and more.

“The Rummage Sale is event planning at its best where JLP members come together to donate, organize, and execute. It’s also an event for the community through and through, where the community can buy gently used and new items at greatly reduced prices while also contributing to JLP’s ability to impact the community through our valuable programs,” said Kelly Kaysonepeth, JLP President. “The number one tip we have for shoppers is to arrive early for the best selection! With more than 20 departments, there is something for everyone. We have many repeat shoppers year after year, including some that have been coming for 30+ years. JLP is proud to offer this Rummage Sale annually.”

The Rummage Sale is divided into two sessions; the morning session is held from 8 a.m. – noon and the afternoon session is held from 1-4 p.m. Admission to the morning session is $5 at the door payable via cash or credit card, while admission to the afternoon session is free. All items are 50 percent off during the afternoon session. There is a parking fee at the Fairgrounds of $10.

Additionally, the JLP will be able to provide free mammograms to the first 40 uninsured and underinsured women during the Rummage Sale this year. The free mammogram program has been a service from JLP during the Rummage Sale for the last two decades with the last seven years generously underwritten by Fry’s Food Stores and the Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona.

Funds raised from the Rummage Sale support the JLP’s mission including its community programs and leadership training programs. Current signature programs include Phoenix Food Day & Health Fest, a collaborative effort hosted with the City of Phoenix, geared towards bringing information, resources, and education to families on the importance and value of living a healthy lifestyle;  ROCKETS, or Raising Our Children’s Knowledge by Educating Through Science, a program that promotes early childhood development of science skills; and Kids in the Kitchen, a nutritional initiative that seeks to combat childhood obesity.

The committee and other Junior League of Phoenix members helped the non-profit with the event in October. Homeward Bound is an incredible organization that assists those in the community who are experiencing homelessness. According to its website, it offers “case management, financial coaching, and employment help to prepare families to transition to stable housing.”

For the Trunk or Treat, the committee says JLP had six trunks… AND supplied candy and costumes through our Done In A Night donations.

Homeward Bound was very appreciative of the support!

The Junior League of Phoenix continues to have so much to be thankful for year after year. For almost 90 years, we have made a significant impact in our community. None of it would be possible without our Members, Donors, and the Community. The Junior League of Phoenix thanks all of you for your support. Click here to see a Thanksgiving message from our Board of Directors.

We wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving.

Each community partnership will work with a corresponding JLP committee beginning in our 2023/2024 administrative year to assist in our new focus area of Empowering Women and Girls to be academically and financially successful.

We want to work with community partners who will make an impact in this area, who will benefit from JLP’s financial and volunteer assistance, and who will provide the best opportunities for our members to impact the community & improve their leadership skills.

Help us find the best community partner options by sharing the application information. Details on the application process can be found here:  https://lnkd.in/gbBrXBj2.

Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022.