Nonprofit Dedicated To Giving Back

Photo by Andrea Boccard
Logan Boccard is all smiles after 34 backpacks were donated to Junior Welfare League’s Backpacks For Success Program during his fourth birthday party.

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

With an open bar, live music and delicious tacos, the Junior Welfare League of Huntington will be hosting its first “Wastin’ Away with the JWL” event at Whales Tale in Northport today to raise funds for a cause.

“We wanted to take advantage of the summer to do something casual, something where people don’t have to dress up,” Loveleen Lohia, president of the Junior Welfare League, said. “Proceeds, sales from raffles, donations from businesses in the Huntington area, who have been extremely generous, are all going toward making this event a success.”

Funds raised will support the league’s programs, such as Backpacks For Success Program, The Lift Funds and Camp For Kids, Lohia said. This is the first Wastin’ Away event for the league.

“We try to change it up, we want to be able to attract new people and make our events fun and interesting with of course the primary objective being awareness and fundraising for the organization,” she said. “It’s just something easy, a nice way to go out, enjoy socialize with other people in the community and help families in the process.”

Andrea Boccard, spokeswoman of the league, said the idea for the theme of the event was inspired by the vibe of Huntington during the summer time.

“The JWL really chooses local options for both sourcing raffle prizes as well as event venues as well as sponsors,” she said. “We try to make sure the local community is involved in all aspects not just as a beneficiary but also as a contributor.”

Lohia said the goal is to raise $5,000 in proceeds, along with increasing visibility in the community.

“Even though we’ve been around since 1933, a lot of people still don’t know who we are,” Lohia said. “We want to be able to do something that’s easy for people to come to, we want to be able to encourage younger members of the community as well to come in and learn about what we do and do some good in their own community.”

In addition to this event, the league is currently running its Backpacks for Success program with the Town of Huntington and Family Service League.

Boccard, who is chairing the program, said that the league is committed to supplying 184 stuffed backpacks to local children for the upcoming school year.

“We coordinate all of the products via supply list and we determine what supplies we need in what quantities and across what age groups,” Boccard said, adding that the backpacks have been ordered. “They will be arriving on Aug. 22 at Huntington Town Hall and we, along with volunteers, will be assembling all of the backpacks and then on Aug. 23 the families of the students who are receiving a backpack will be coming to pick up their backpacks.”

Boccard added that the backpacks will be stocked with not only with the supplies needed but some additions as well, including educational books.

The “Wastin’ Away with the JWL” event will be held at 81 Fort Salonga Road tonight from 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $65; raffle tickets are extra and also available at the door.