Community

Since the Fort Bend Junior Service League’s inception in January 2001, it has raised over $4.5 million to support various agencies serving the needs of Fort Bend County residents. The following list shows how and where the League’s efforts have made an impact in the community.

SUGAR PLUM MARKET:
This wonderful shopping extravaganza has raised over $3.3 million since 2001. Beneficiaries of the Sugar Plum Market have included: AccessHealth (formerly Fort Bend Family Health Center, Inc.), American Red Cross, ARC of Fort Bend County, Ballet Forte, Boys and Girls Club of Fort Bend, Child Advocates of Fort Bend, DeWalt Heritage Center, East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, Fort Bend Community Partners Rainbow Room, Fort Bend Community Theater, Fort Bend County Women’s Center, the FBJSL Community Assistance Fund, Fort Bend Family Health, Fort Bend Family Promise, Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity, Fort Bend Lawyers Care, Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, Fort Bend Symphony, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, Robert C. Tate Community Center, Texana Center, and YMCA of Greater Houston – Fort Bend YMCA and T.W. Davis YMCA.

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUND (CAF):
This fund was established in the fall of 2006 as a means of expanding the League’s financial outreach. The CAF allows FBJSL to extend its financial support even further in the community by providing multiple smaller grants to a greater number of charitable causes in Fort Bend County. The CAF receives a portion of funds raised from each FBJSL fundraising event. To date, this fund has granted more than $245,845 to various agencies within Fort Bend County.

FBJSL BREAST CANCER FUND:
FBJSL is proud to partner with several area organizations to raise funds for the FBJSL Breast Cancer Fund, established in 2009 as a means to further the community’s fight against breast cancer by providing financial support for programs and services designed to improve quality of life, provide access to early detection and treatment, and diminish suffering for Fort Bend County breast cancer patients. As a result of these partnerships, FBJSL, together with Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, has presented $21,414 to the American Cancer Society.

SPRING FLING (REFERRED TO AS CHARITY BALL FROM 2006-2013 AND THE STERLING BALL FROM 2001-2005):
The FBJSL Spring Fling has raised $1,054,000 since its inception in 2001. Over the years, proceeds from the Charity Ball have benefited noteworthy organizations such as American Red Cross, Fort Bend CORPS, Fort Bend Family Promise, the FBJSL Community Assistance Fund, Habitat for Humanity, Hope for Three, Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, Lunches of Love, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Pediatric Services, Parks Youth Ranch, Rio Bend, Second Mile Mission Center, and Sugar Land Legacy Foundation.

CHILDREN’S BOOK AND AUTHOR EVENT:
Benefiting the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, this event raised nearly $30,000 in the three years that it was presented. In 2008, the Children’s Book and Author Event was expanded into a new event – Pancakes & Pajamas. This fun-filled event, geared toward young children and their families, raised $69,000 from 2008 – 2010. Proceeds have benefited East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, ESCAPE Family Resource Center, Fort Bend Community Partners Rainbow Room, the FBJSL Community Assistance Fund and Fort Bend Lawyers Care.

“EDIBLE HEIRLOOMS”:
Sales of the League’s first cookbook benefited Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. The cookbook was published in 2003 and raised $18,000.

“TREASURES FROM THE BEND, RICH IN HISTORY AND FLAVOR”:
FBJSL’s second cookbook was launched in October 2009. Proceeds from this award-winning cookbook benefit (Fort Bend Seniors) Meals on Wheels. To date, proceeds in the amount of $46,400 have been presented to FBS.

GLITTER & GLOSS:
Originally established in 2008, this event was geared toward young ladies that love all things “girlie.” In its first year, Glitter & Gloss raised $15,500 for the FBJSL Community Assistance Fund. The event returned in the spring of 2010 as a fundraiser organized by the Fort Bend Teen Service League, a mentoring project of FBJSL, and during 2010 and 2011 raised $21,500 for the FBJSL Community Assistance Fund.

GOLF TOURNAMENT:
From 2002 – 2007, FBJSL hosted a golf tournament which raised $131,500 to benefit the Fort Bend Community Partners Rainbow Room.

“LITTLE HEROES OF FORT BEND” CALENDAR:
Sales of this calendar, which occurred during the 2002-2003 League year, raised $30,000 for MD Anderson Cancer Center.