Junior League Takes Steps With Habitat for Better Housing

by Shellley Freeman

(November 20, 2008) Thirty strong and adorned in bright red t-shirts, members of Westchester's Junior League on the Sound along with over 50 friends, family and pets joined members of the community on November 16th for a walk to raise awareness and donations on behalf of Habitat for Humanity of Westchester County. Collectively, JLWOS members raised and donated $1,500, significantly contributing to the $6,000 total donated by all the walkers.

Before the Habitat Walk, Junior League members and their families gathered in front of the Golden Shoestring, the thrift store run by the JLWOS to raise funds for community projects and grants.

Chilly weather did not deter participants, who bundled up and gathered at Constitution Park in Larchmont at 1 pm. St. Augustine’s pastor, Monsignor Kelly, began the event by offering words of support and prayer to those in the community in need of housing and for the walkers who were giving of themselves to help others. His moving words were followed by an inspirational message from Jim Killoran, director of Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, who grabbed the crowd's attention with his passionate plea to eradicate unsafe and unlivable housing. He shared examples of such housing and led the crowd in a refrain of "not acceptable" after each example.

Mr. Killoran finished his comments by thanking the participants and making special mention of the Junior League for having such a large showing of participants. He noted the League's history of advocating for better housing conditions dating back to the turn of the 19th century and commended the League for continuing this focus by working with Habitat for Humanity.

The one-mile walk was accomplished at a brisk pace through the surrounding Larchmont neighborhood down to Manor Park along the Long Island Sound and back to St. Augustine's Church. At the end, much to the delight of the walkers, particularly the children, there were cookie and juice refreshments provided by JLWOS.

Shelley Freeman volunteers with the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound. For more information on the organization, see jlwos.org. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity, visit habitatwc.org

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