Get ready — October 14, 2016, will be one of the most delicious nights of the year in Coronado. That Wednesday from 5pm to 9pm, you’ll see Coronado residents and visitors making their way up and down Orange Ave, dipping into restaurants along the way. Over 25 eateries, boutiques, and shops will be participating in this annual event: A Taste of Coronado.
A Taste of Coronado is just one of the wonderful events that the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club (CJWC) organizes each year for its community. The mission of CJWC “is to unite together women who are dedicated to enhancing the spirit of Coronado through educational, civic, and philanthropic services.” This includes organizing several events that locals enjoy each year, including Halloween Window Painting, the Children’s Section of the Coronado Flower Show, and the Thanksgiving Coloring Contest. “These events help to shape the special and unique life that we experience here in our town by providing a chance for our community to come together and celebrate the remarkable life we share on our island,” says Sara Stillman, Publicity Chair.
CJWC’s main function, however, is fundraising and making monetary donations to organizations in need. One recent example many locals will remember is that “[the CJWC] contributed and made a challenge to the community to help raise money for CHS Islander Nic Brown,” says Jessica Cunningham, VP of Amenities. Their challenge contributed to the $35,000 raised for Nic Brown.
“All of our fundraising efforts go towards chosen beneficiaries,” explains Michelle Munns, who is in charge of membership this year. “One of the great things about our club is that we change our beneficiaries for each major fundraising effort. Organizations in need can come to our meetings and speak to us about what they stand for and how we can help. We help organizations that are directly located in Coronado, as well as San Diego.”
CJWC’s fundraising events and hard work have helped with scholarships, Girl Scouts, Barrio Logan Institute, Coronado Promenade Concerts, Coronado Public Library, Sharp Coronado Hospital, Coronado DARE, Coronado Schools, Linder Kids, Camp Wamp, San Diego Fisher House, and Monarch Schools. Last year CJWC donated $23,170 to 11 different organizations and schools, both in Coronado and throughout the San Diego area.
“Last year,” Sara Stillman says, “I was the chair of the Marilyn Foster Scholarship, our annual scholarship awarded to two graduated Coronado High School seniors. As a young girl I was lucky to be neighbors with Marilyn Foster for 19 years and was excited to be a part of helping future women of Coronado through her legacy. Marilyn was a longtime member of both the CJWC and Coronado Woman’s Club, as well as a mentor to many a CJWC member over the years. In the coming year, I am very much looking to be a part of putting together this award again and helping more CHS graduates thrive and be successful in their futures.”
In addition to working hard for the benefit of Coronado and the surrounding community, the CJWC women have a lot of fun together.
“Just last week,” says Maggie Pettit, the new President of CJWC, “we had a board meeting to get ready for this upcoming season, and we got a lot done, but we laughed a lot too! I appreciate that there are women who are not exactly in the same chapter of life where I am — some have older kids, some have no kids — but they are sharp and talented and they care deeply about giving back to Coronado.”
CJWC has been active in Coronado for over 50 years, and some of the members of CJWC have been involved a long time, like Deann Brown, who is now in her ninth year of membership. Several other women, however, heard about CJWC from their own mothers. “I was born and raised in Coronado,” says Michelle Munns. “My mom was an avid member of CJWC when I was a little girl, and I remember incredible family events and setting up for fun member socials with her. Some of her best friendships were through Juniors!”
Maggie Pettit, meanwhile, grew up in Coronado (and asked her now-husband to the Sadie Hawkins Dance back in high school), but then moved away for 20 years. When she returned to Coronado, her mom suggested she join CJWC because “that club has fun.” She got busy for a few years, though, when their two sons were born.
“But then,” says Maggie, “A Taste of Coronado happened. I went to this event and loved every single thing about it. And the best part was that the women who were putting it on looked like they were having so much fun, volunteering their time, raising money, making friends, and enjoying this great event! I found out that it was put on by the CJWC, and I was sold! I joined the club and I have found even more things that I love about how the club interacts with the community of Coronado.”
Maggie is busy with young children and doesn’t have much free time, yet she, like many of the women in CJWC, have found a place where they can do great things with small slices of time. Jessica Cunningham has definitely felt this way: “I’m a mom of two young girls, wife, small business owner, and want to be able to give back to the community I grew up in, but I don’t have a lot of extra time on my hands. I figured this would be a perfect fit.”
Michelle Munns has found it is a way to reconnect with women, too. “I became a mom less than three years ago and fell out of touch with the working/real world. I love that being a part of this group allows me to raise awareness for different organizations within our community. Our meetings are productive, but I also look forward to getting out of the house and being surrounded by women that are all working towards a greater good. We know how to get down to business, but know how to have tons of fun while doing it!”
The women of CJWC have many hopes for this upcoming year.
“One of my goals for this year,” says Maggie, the President, “is to streamline the ways in which our members volunteer in the community. I love that by being a member of this club, I have a an opportunity to volunteer in Coronado and beyond, and it is manageable, even as a busy mom, but I think we can make it easier and keep it fun and still do meaningful work.”
Many of the members echoed her desire to increase volunteer involvement in the community. Deann Brown says, “I would love to see a younger generation getting involved and giving back.”
Maggie also adds that, “Along those lines, I hope to publicize our group in the community so that beneficiaries and scholarship recipients know that we are here to support them. I think we can make it easier for the people trying to do great work locally to find us, so that we can get money in their hands to keep doing great things!”
For those who are in need of funding to support great work, send written requests to: CJWC, PO Box 181398, Coronado CA 92178. “We are always looking for great beneficiaries!” says Maggie.
Maggie also invites all new and interested members to attend the New Member Social on August 26th at 6pm in Coronado. Contact Michelle Munns at [email protected], or feel free to call or text 619.857.9564 to RSVP.
“There’s no place like home,” says Maggie, “and we are so proud to be a part of this terrific community!”
——–
All photos used with permission of the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club.
——–
Becca Garber
Staff Writer
Have a story you want to share? Contact us.
