JWL Places Child-Centered Resource Bags In Blessings Boxes And Little Free Libraries

The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield partnered with Alliance Behavioral Health, Johnston County CMARC, and Huebner Family McDonald’s to put together 500 child-centered resource bags. The purpose of the resource bags is to provide support for children and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic through mental health resources and play therapy.

Pictured are members of the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield and their family. From left to right: Portia Garrett, Valerie Perry, Dawn Roscoe, Kimberly Hayes-Johnson, Karel Standish, Nicole Bullock, Ainsley Roscoe, Dawn Willcox, and Shanna Capps. Image Credit: Kelly Blanchard

The bags include a “Joey the Kangaroo and her Coping with COVID Plan” coloring book, mental health resource flyers, Johnston County CMARC flyer, coloring books, crayons, children’s books, and a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy. “The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield is appreciative of the community organizations who donated items for the resource bags. The resources in these bags will increase awareness of mental health issues and support children in the community as they deal with the social and emotional aspects of the COVID pandemic,” said Erin Smith, VP of Community Outreach and Engagement.

These bags will be placed in Junior Women’s League of Smithfield Blessing Boxes and Little Free Libraries in Johnston County during the month of February. The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield has eight Blessing Boxes located throughout the county, which serve as freestanding pantries for food and hygiene items for individuals in need. For more information about the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield and its initiatives, please visit  www.JWLSmithfield.com or email JWLSmithfield@gmail.com.

About The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield
The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield (JWL) is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action of trained volunteers. Our organization was founded in Smithfield, but is dedicated to the betterment of all communities within Johnston County.  Since the League’s establishment in February 2016, JWL has awarded $100,000 in Community Impact Grants to Johnston County nonprofit organizations and completed more than 10,600 hours of community service.