In our annual tradition, the following awards were bestowed to Junior League of Pelham members at the Year End Dinner. Congratulations!

Volunteer of the Year – Tia Chase
This year’s Volunteer of the Year is Tia Chase. Without Tia Chase, none of the accomplishments I just listed would be possible. That’s because everything we do as a league basically starts and ends with our treasurer. The treasurer sets our budget, ensures we’re collecting dues that are critical to funding our programmatic work, cuts checks and reconciles every dollar and cent and so much more. This year was likely more challenging than Tia initially anticipated–in the midst of a difficult fundraising environment, Tia worked tirelessly to find cost savings, flag opportunities and kept us all on track. When the board decided to take a hard look at what was working and what wasn’t –revising and reimagining our fundraising strategy for next year, streamlining committees and projects, expanding scholarship and grant programs, etc., Tia unflinchingly spearheaded the budgeting process and made it all make sense.

Felicia Brewer First-Year Active – Robin Lange & Jessica Portal
We are proud to recognize two outstanding First Year Actives, Robin Lange & Jessica Portal, for their incredible leadership, organization and resilience in planning and executing our social events this year. Robin and Jess navigated the ups and downs that go with event planning all year and corralled our active and sustainer membership with ease. They planned a wonderful holiday party that wasn’t meant to be and moved on with grace. From bread baking to the March dinners and tonight’s End of Year celebration, they facilitated the energy and connection that fuels this organization’s work and purpose.

Elizabeth I. Junod Sustainer of the Year – Natalie Marrero
This year’s Sustainer of the Year is Natalie Marrero. Natalie truly embodies the heart of the League. Natalie is a past JLP president and has donated her time to the PTA, Girl Scouts, OLPH and the Board of Education. The sustainer GMM, a Bartow Pell event, Pelham Recreation Senior Luncheon and an upcoming sustainer yoga class, she continues to carve time out for JLP. Her dedication to the League and the Pelham community is inspiring.