Blog: JLW Celebrates “Home for the Holidays” 2020

By: Hannah Overton, Active Member

The Junior League of Washington (JLW) recognized that 2020 was an incredibly hard year for our members, the Washington, DC community, and the world. As the holiday season approached, Holiday Cocktail Party Co-Chairs Summer Bravo and Sarah Steinberg knew that while JLW’s holiday celebration would look a little different than originally planned, it was vitally important to create an event and a space to spread joy – something this year has been short on.

In that spirit of merriment and determination, plans for the Cookies and Cocktails event on December 5th were adjusted. Zoom allowed members to gather virtually and even decorate cookies alongside JLW President Jessica Taylor White, Bravo, and Steinberg, thanks to curated packages mailed ahead of the event.

Even though she misses seeing fellow JLW members in person, Bravo believes this event was a testament to the dedication of her committee members. As she remarked, “I’m so happy JLW has come up with creative ways to connect with its members. Our event, Cookies and Cocktails, has already gotten so much support league-wide, and it is only one of the few ways we can get together virtually and have fun all while supporting our great mission and our community

 partners.”

In support of that great mission, the Cookies and Cocktails event also featured the Holiday Raffle, which offered the chance to win a Peloton Bike, a $1,000 Visa gift card donated by Ourisman Automotive of Virginia, and a $500 Amazon gift card. At the close of the event, over $20,000 had been raised. At a time when the community is struggling so much, JLW looks forward to giving back.

 

Wherever and however you celebrated the holidays this past year, we hope you are staying healthy and safe and you are able to find glimmers of hope, love, and gratitude.