A Day at the Races!

The Junior League of Greater Princeton (JLGP), a women’s volunteer organization serving the Greater Princeton area for more than 90 years, today invited the community to a May 3rd fundraiser, A Day at the Races. The event, culminating with a viewing of the Kentucky Derby, will fund 2014-15 programs for Mercer and Bucks county women and children.
“We are so excited to offer A Day at the Races to the Princeton community. Though it’s a new event for our area, other Leagues across the country have hosted Derby events for many years. Games of chance, a hat contest, a Junior League Julep…it promises to be a great evening and all the proceeds will allow us to continue to provide robust, meaningful community programs next year,” said Johnelle Whipple, Vice President of Development.

On May 3rd, the Ronson Aviation hangar at Trenton Mercer Airport will transform into a lavish garden, reminiscent of Churchill Downs. Guests will experience the excitement and anticipation while viewing the Kentucky Derby on large screens in our indoor garden. Guests can enter a raffle to choose a winning horse, buy 50/50 raffles, and the chance to win Frontier Airlines tickets. All hats can be entered in the “Best Hat” and “People’s Choice” competitions. Other highlights of the evening include a bourbon tasting, substantial southern fare, a wine arbor, and a silent auction. Buy Rite of Hopewell-Pennington, a long-time League partner, will provide in-kind support.  

All proceeds from the evening’s activities will benefit the JLGP’s community programs.  For the last two years, the League has partnered with Dress for Success Mercer County to facilitate a job-readiness program. This nine-week program offers classroom presentation coupled with one-on-one mentoring with League volunteers to support each of up to 20 participants. Dress for Success chooses each participant from among the under- or unemployed women who access their services. The program has a national success rate of 41% and has proven even more successful locally, with 61% of participants finding employment in the first six months after the course. 
According to Lauren Sgro, Community Vice President, “Both our Women and Children’s Initiatives have exceeded our expectations; we have incredible partners and engaged volunteers. The board looks forward to the opportunity to share these great programs and successes with our guests.”

For the second consecutive year, the League’s Children’s Initiative is offering award-winning wellness programming to two preschools, the Cherry Tree Club and Better Beginnings. The curriculum includes a new theme each month, from heart health to healthy eating and caring for teeth, the children have the opportunity to read about the theme, visit with a professional (dentist, yoga teacher and nutritionist) and enjoy a healthy snack. 

Tickets will be available online at www.jlgp.org at $50 a person, with VIP tables for 10 available as well for $1000. The event offers excellent sponsorship opportunities for companies and individuals. Please contact event chairs, Adelle Scharloo and Cindy Hollender at derby@jlgp.org. 

About The Junior League of Greater Princeton

The Junior League of Greater Princeton is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Junior League of Greater Princeton focuses its efforts on the needs of women and children in Mercer and Bucks counties as well as the surrounding areas. Women over the age of 21, committed to voluntarism, regardless of race, religion or national origin are welcome as members. The Junior League of Greater Princeton is part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, which includes 293 Junior Leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Great Britain. For more information please visit www.jlgp.org.