Daytona Beach, FL – The Junior League of Daytona Beach is excited to announce its 90th anniversary. Founded in 1934, the Junior League of Daytona Beach was first called the Junior Service League of Daytona, with a mission to focus on the needs of women and children in the community, a mission that continues today.
The women of the League strive to improve the quality of life for women and children in our community by focusing resources on local needs and services. For nine decades, the Junior League of Daytona Beach (JLDB) has been at the forefront of community improvement and involvement, empowering and inspiring women, and fostering volunteerism. Throughout the past 90 years, the Junior League of Daytona Beach helped establish:
- Easter Seals
o The Junor Service League managed the Easter Seals Drive in the area creating a relationship between the two organizations, through which JLDB funded the salary for an occupational therapist, supported the preschool programs, hosted respite care days, and the after-school POP program.
- MOAS Planetarium and Giant Sloth Exhibits
o In the 1970s, the Junior Service League supported the development of the Planetarium, sponsored annual exhibits and summer science programs, and funded the first Docent program at the Museum of Arts & Sciences. In addition, the League was involved in the funding, publicity and hands-on work in the development of the Giant Sloth exhibit at the MOAS.
- Discovery Center, City Island Library
o In the 1980s, the League funded and developed the Discovery Center at the Public Library in Daytona Beach, and over the last several decades the League has continued to refresh the center.
- Project W.A.R.M.
o JLDB learned of the need and began sponsoring educational events on the impact of a mother’s drug addiction on their babies, which then began Project W.A.R.M. (Women Assisting Recovering Mothers). This program is now part of the Vince Carter Sanctuary in Bunnell.
- Camp BeginAgain
o JLDB co-sponsored this weekend retreat for young people who recently lost a loved one.
- Best Foot Forward
o This unique back-to-school shopping experience for underprivileged children in our community was sponsored by the League, allowing each student to go shopping with a personal shopper to “purchase” clothes.
- Family Tree House
o A home donated by Roslyn and Alvin Saul was renamed the Family Tree House and used as a comfortable, home-like environment in which families could have court-ordered supervised visitations.
- ECOSPERIENCE
o JLDB has also taken on environmental projects, including the Halifax River Adopt-a-Shoreline program, “Living with the River,” and sponsoring prizes for the Tomoka Regional Science Fair. The League created ECOSPERIENCE, which was attended by 1400 people and received an award for excellence from the Volusia Association of Science Teachers.
To help kick off the 90th Anniversary celebration, the Junior League of Daytona Beach hosted a Gala on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the CiCi & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Daytona Beach. This special anniversary event showcased the League’s rich history, the impact of its projects, and the inspiring women who have shaped its legacy.
During the 90th Anniversary Gala, Daytona Beach City Commissioner Quanita May presented a proclamation from Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry recognizing, “the Legacy of the Junior League of Daytona Beach as well as their 90th Anniversary Celebration in the City of Daytona Beach, Florida, and ask our residents to support the dedicated work being done by this organization.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone in our history,” said Maria Indelicato, President of the Junior League of Daytona Beach. “This 90th Anniversary Gala marks our past accomplishments and sets the stage for our future endeavors.”
A few of these upcoming events are the 22nd annual Sweetheart Ball on Saturday, February 22, 2025; the 3rd Touch-a-Truck on Saturday, May 3, 2025; and the JLDB’s first Women’s Health Summit set for March.
About Junior League of Daytona Beach:
The Junior League of Daytona Beach is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Established in 1934, the JLDB plays an integral part in the development, improvement, and support of the communities of Volusia and Flagler Counties, and is one of the hundreds of chapters across the world and a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. For more information about the JLDB or how to become a member, visit daytonabeach.jl.org.
