It's all for the children...

The Junior Charity League of Concord is an organization of women committed to promoting compassion and volunteerism throughout Cabarrus County. Through development and delivery of projects and programs, the League encourages the well-being of children and families by providing services that will prevent any hindrances from allowing them to become successful in our community.
 

Founded in 1930, Mariam C. Schramm and 42 other charter members began by feeding soup, crackers and milk to hungry children in our local schools. Throughout the years, the needs of our community have changed, but the League's mission is still the same – to annually provide the necessary resources to the children in our area to encourage them to continue learning without hindrances they cannot control. As federal and state supported lunch programs eventually alleviated hunger in the schools, the League's focus shifted from feeding children to providing other critically needed support and services.

In the 1950s, League programs included sponsoring courses with the Red Cross to teach baby care to expectant mothers, the establishment of a speech therapy clinic, and the provision of milk to needy school children. In 1967, Safety Town was introduced. In 1973, Goodtimers was established to entertain and lift the spirits of residents at local nursing homes.

In that same year, League members opened the Mariam C. Schramm Clothing Room. The Clothing Room provides new clothes for impoverished children in Cabarrus County and Kannapolis City Schools. This year, the League will clothe over 1,000 students. This is only a fraction of the children that are truly in need in our community.I

Today, the Junior Charity League has grown to over 85 members and volunteers. Our members include full-time professional women, doctors, stay-at-home moms, school teachers, entrepreneurs and business owners. Our members represent all income levels and range in age from women in their 20s to women in their 50s. Our members volunteer at least 54 hours of their time each year. That averages to just a little over an hour a week! It is amazing what our members are able to accomplish in our community with just an hour each week!

We now offer over 17 different programs and projects which are all designed to help local children grow up as happy and healthy as possible. As Cabarrus County continues to grow and develop, the number of children in need of assistance will grow also.

The Junior Charity League of Concord received one of the 2004 "Nine Who Care" awards by WSOC-TV to honor their efforts to clothe needy children in the community.

If you would like us to contact you about volunteering or becoming a member, click here to send us an email with your contact information. Or, please call the League office at (704) 652-0669.