History:

The Junior Service League of Waxahachie was organized in 1952 in harmony with the policies of the Association of the Junior Service League of America, Incorporated. Mrs. W. H. Getzendaner was the first President.

The purpose of the League is to foster interest among its members in the social, economic, educational, cultural, and civic conditions of the community, and to assist in these areas through volunteer service. All monies generated through League activities must be spent within Ellis county.

Over the years, the League members have donated their time and talents in many areas. Many hours have been spent at the local hospital, the nursing homes, Sims Library, and in our schools. League projects have changed to meet the needs of the times. We no longer teach Civil Defense, assist with polio vaccinations, or educate on tuberculosis. Now we conduct C.P.R. classes, deliver Mobile Meals, and present art appreciation classes in the schools through the Dallas Museum of Art's Go Van Gogh program.

Since its inception, the League has worked with the aged, the young, our schools, and in our community. We have volunteered our time at the local nursing homes doing visitation and holding teas, and more recently doing a Tape Ministry. For years, we ran the Hospitality House to give our senior citizens a place to play bridge or 42; now we call bingo games at the Senior Citizens Center. In the past we mended clothes and babysat preschoolers at the Orphans Home, sponsored Scout Troops, and worked on motor development with Kindergarteners. We have led a Story Hour at Sims Library for 38 years. We give our time and money to our schools. In the past, we have run a treatment center for exceptional children at the American Legion Hall, bought workbooks, shoes and milk for needy children. Currently we are volunteering as teacher's aides in the Special Education classes at our elementary schools, we teach an augmentative literature class at the Middle School, we provide a library aide at the High School, and we give $1,500.00 each year to the elementary schools to provide school supplies for children who can't afford them. We used to do clerical work in the City Health office and administer the local Easter Seals and Tuberculosis campaigns; now, we volunteer our time to the Chamber of Commerce helping to handle the influx of interest in our area since we became the Super Collider City.

Our continuing commitment to our community through these activities has required that we also conduct fundraising activities to support our work. We have held style shows, bridge tournaments, luncheons, charity box suppers, and tasting parties; we have sponsored children's movies at the downtown theater, and we have published several cookbooks. In 1972, we started our Christmas Tree Lane Tour of Homes. In 1980, we held our first Art Auction. And in 1987 we published our most recent and most profitable cookbook - GINGERBREAD... and all the Trimmings.

With the increase in our income came the ability to support our community with more than just our volunteer hours. We have been able to make substantial monetary donations to Sims Library, the Waxahachie YMCA, and Special Olympics. Since 1975, we have awarded the Sue Stroope Memorial Art Scholarship to a deserving Waxahachie High School senior who plans to continue his/her art studies in higher education after graduation. The award is funded by an endowment given to us by the Stroope family and supplemented by League funds so that now the scholarship is $750.00 Due to the success of our latest cookbook, we are now able to commit the League to more long-term goals while still maintaining our other projects. In the spring of 1990, the League voted to support the creation of a handicapped children's playground in Waxahachie. The bulk of our income will be spent on the playground over the next five fiscal years.

With the anticipated growth of our city, the Junior Service League of Waxahachie will continue to increase its volunteer efforts and monetary support of the social, economic, educational, cultural, and civic activities in our community.