The Junior League of Asheville (JLA), a volunteer, non-profit women’s organization, is partnering with the Early Childhood Shelter Initiative (ECSI) to collect donations for a newly constructed playroom at the WNC Rescue Ministries location on Patton Avenue. The ECSI, developed by Kate Perrotta (Asheville City Schools Homelessness Liaison) and Christine Craft (Buncombe County Schools Homelessness Liaison) works to ensure that local homeless shelters serving women and children are equipped with play areas that are safe, supportive, educational, and developmentally enriching for the children staying there. Other shelters that benefit from the initiative include Steadfast House, WNC Rescue Ministries, Helpmate, and the Salvation Army.
From September 2015 through January 2016, Junior League of Asheville members donated new furniture, art supplies, and educational toys to create the Junior League of Asheville Educational Learning Playroom at Steadfast House. Now, throughout the month of February, the JLA will begin furnishing the newly constructed playroom at the WNC Rescue Ministries downtown location on Patton Ave.
The space is currently empty and is in need of donations including: a CD player, DVD player, a flatscreen TV, children’s DVDs, children’s educational/reading CDs, a rocking chair, and plastic organizational drawers, etc. Art supplies including crayons, markers, paint, brushes, and paper would also be greatly appreciated. Ongoing needs for the children and women’s shelter at the WNC Rescue Mission include: Twin bed sheets, twin size comforters with characters (Frozen, Spiderman, etc), and teddy bears.
Smaller donations can be dropped off at Van Dyke Fine Jewelry & Craft at 29 Biltmore Ave, Asheville NC 28801. For larger donations, please call Junior League of Asheville Headquarters at 828.254.5608 to coordinate pick up or drop off your items. Donations will be accepted through March 15, 2016.