By Monica Malpass 

Dec.13, 2023: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) hosted its inaugural two-day holiday Stocking Stroll on November 30 and December 1.

The fundraiser, which helped encourage shopping locally, took place in Bronxville’s premier retail district with 40+ Bronxville Chamber of Commerce members participating.

Through ticket sales of over 150 stockings, the fundraiser supported the JLB’s mission “to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.” Generous businesses and nonprofits did their part by offering exclusive discounts and special gifts, as well as providing food and beverage perks.

The festivities began on Thursday, November 30, from 4-9pm with attendees strolling, shopping, and dining from area stores and restaurants. Many lucky event participants found golden tickets in their stockings that entitled the winners to extra discounts, gift cards, free services, and more!

The fun continued the next day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the JLB Jolly Trolley, next to Village Hall. Mayor Mary Marvin, a current JLB Sustaining Member, attended the kickoff along with a number of JLB Members who had just taken part in a Sustainer Sips event at Village Hall that was hosted by the Mayor. All present took a trolley ride through the Village to start the second day of the Stocking Stroll which took place from 10am-2pm.

Everyone from vendors to shoppers to nonprofit leaders had smiles on their faces by the end of the two days. “It was absolutely heartwarming to see our Junior League totally embrace and support our local merchants .. just another example of what makes the Village such a special home,” Mayor Mary Marvin said. JLB President Jennifer Carella agreed, adding “Our inaugural Stocking Stroll fundraiser was a celebration of this vibrant and generous community. I would like to extend a huge thank you to the many Chamber of Commerce members and staff who helped to make it such a success.”

The event was overseen by Fundraising Vice President Michelle Schoulder, along with an entire team of JLB volunteers who stuffed stockings and handed out prizes. The JLB is extremely proud of the support it receives from local, small, as well as women-owned businesses.

A heartfelt thanks also goes to the seven Community Champion sponsors whose support of the League’s overall mission was acknowledged as part of the event, including: Admiral Real Estate Services, Apple Bank, D.C. Ranieri Insurance Agency, Houlihan Lawrence, La Gravinese Jewelers, Mano A Mano, and Prep Academy Tutors. Fifty-six benefactor ticket-holders also contributed to the first Stocking Stroll’s success.

Funds raised through this event support the JLB, including its outreach efforts throughout its five service areas of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers.

Examples of the JLB’s impact include two monthly Mobile Food Pantries in conjunction with Feeding Westchester; the JLB Joyful Closet in the Edward Williams School in Mount Vernon, providing necessary clothing, toiletries and other necessities to children in need in partnership with Bundles of Joy; a monthly Book Nook which is an after-school reading program at Eastchester Community Action Partnership (ECAP) in Tuckahoe; and a number of other outreach projects that address local needs.

The Junior League of Bronxville, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.  The JLB services the areas of Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers. The JLB has been an active and local women’s volunteer organization in Southern Westchester since 1948. For more information on the JLB, please visit www.jlbronxville.org.