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Press Release: The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. to Host “Après in the City” at Attico Rooftop

The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. to Host “Après in the City” at Attico Rooftop

The Winter Fundraiser Supports Leadership, Wellness, and Community Impact in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 5, 2026) – The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) is hosting Après in the City, a ski-inspired winter fundraiser taking place at Attico Rooftop in Center City on February 21, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event invites guests to embrace the spirit of après-ski with an evening of seasonal festivities, a skyline view, and community impact.

 

 

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here for $125. Tickets include an open bar, appetizers, and access to a variety of ski-themed activities. The event will also feature a silent auction featuring curated packages and raffle prizes throughout the night.

 

“We look forward to bringing our community together for a winter event that advances the Junior League of Philadelphia’s mission,” said Pam Phojanakong, President of The Junior League of Philadelphia. “ Après in the City is a festive way to enjoy the season while directly contributing to programs that improve health, wellness, and opportunity across the Philadelphia region.”

 

Funds raised through Après in the City are vital to the Junior League of Philadelphia’s efforts to address some of the most persistent challenges facing local communities. By supporting this event, attendees help fuel initiatives that improve the health and wellness of families in the Greater Philadelphia-area, expand access to nutritious food, and provide education and resources that empower women to become effective civic leaders. Every ticket helps strengthen JLP programs that directly impact neighborhoods, schools, and partner organizations throughout the region.

 

 

For more information, please visit their website. Stay up to date with the organization’s events and news by following their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. For media inquiries and/or interview requests, please contact Lina@PhillyPRGirl.com. 

 

About The Junior League of Philadelphia

 

The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The JLP welcomes all women who value its mission. They are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities. Since 1912, the JLP has been committed to addressing the many aspects of health and wellness in underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia area, whether it’s creating community gardens or providing nutritious meals to families in need. With over 700 trained volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of service annually, the organization empowers women volunteers to make meaningful change happen within the communities it proudly serves.

Another JLP Holiday Cookie Exchange in the Books!

plates of holiday cookies displayed on a red tablecloth

A chill was in the air, the tables were adorned with red, and the attendees were wearing their holiday best…you guessed it, this was the 2025 cookie exchange!

For the 5th year in a row, the annual JLP Holiday Cookie Exchange was held at Headquarters on December 7th to celebrate the holidays with some delicious treats and good company. What originally began as an event held exclusively for New Members now welcomes all JLPers to attend, no matter how long they have been part of the League.

Attendees were asked to bring three dozen of their chosen treats to share with the group and were also encouraged to bring along a container or bag(s) to take their favorite cookies home to enjoy later. You can be certain that no cookies were left behind!

Since the cookie exchange has transformed from a New Member event to a general social event, it was hosted this year by the Social Committee, who kindly provided a number of non-cookie items that included hoagies, cheese and crackers, fruit, and juices. Attendees were given the chance to partake of this spread before migrating to the main meeting area at Headquarters, where a group picture was taken and then the actual exchange of baked goods commenced. While there was a slightly smaller turnout for this year’s event, the selection of cookies was still abundant: classics like sugar and chocolate chip, plus some unique newcomers like cherry snowballs, peanut butter miso, and toffee chocolate chip.

The cookie exchange offers an opportunity not only to exercise culinary creativity, but also for JLPers to mingle with other League members who they might not otherwise get the chance to meet, fostering community in a low-key setting while kicking off the holiday season. Hopefully, this event will only continue to grow in popularity in the coming years.

Kids in the Kitchen Community Partner Surveys: An Overview from the Spring 2025 Semester
Each year, The Junior League of Philadelphia’s (JLP) Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) Committee runs two six-week sessions of programming, one in the fall and one in the spring. The programming consists of a weekly curriculum that the KITK Committee creates from scratch for community partners to use in teaching students about nutrition and healthy eating. KITK Committee members are responsible for contributing at least one recipe per semester to the curriculum, using various lesson categories to help guide their choices, such as fruits and vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats. With so much variation in the curriculum from year to year, it is helpful for the Committee to gather feedback from community partners through a post-semester survey to learn what worked well and what did not.
So, what did KITK’s community partners think of the programming for the Spring 2025 semester?
The Committee’s first survey question asked partners how long it took to teach the curriculum lessons. This included the time spent teaching the weekly lesson plan and the time needed to prepare the recipe associated with each lesson. About two-thirds of respondents said the curriculum took just the right amount of time, while the remaining third felt the lessons took too long and that less programming was needed. These sentiments were reflected in responses to the second survey question, which asked community partners to rate the ease of teaching the semester’s lessons on a scale of one to five, with one being the most difficult and five being the easiest. Again, two-thirds of respondents rated the recipes as easy to teach, selecting either a four or five. The remaining third responded with a score below two, indicating that the recipes were difficult and possibly time consuming to teach.
Community partners were also asked whether they felt the curriculum content was age appropriate. On a scale of one to five, with one representing “Not appropriate” and five representing “Very appropriate.” All respondents selected either a four or five. In addition, all respondents indicated that students were more confident in their ability to make the recipes after completing the program than they were before the program began.
The survey also provided community partners with an opportunity to share open response feedback.
“KITK is great at providing kitchen tools and supplies needed to complete lessons,” one respondent shared. “There are a great balance and opportunity for children to engage with both savory and sweet items to cook while remaining healthy. The students especially love working with fresh fruits, particularly blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries that are not commonly available at home or in school.” Other comments noted the KITK programming gives students the opportunity to make new foods and that the lessons engage students even before the cooking begins.
Respondents also identified areas for potential improvement. One suggestion was to give students more input on what they would like to cook, such as choosing broccoli or spinach on pizza instead of cucumbers, which were not a favorite among students. Additional feedback included offering frozen or canned produce when certain fruits or vegetables are out of season to reinforce that healthy choices are available year-round, as well as providing non-dairy alternatives for students who are lactose intolerant.
Food delivery was also mentioned as an area for improvement. KITK relies on Instacart to deliver ingredients to partner schools. While this approach is generally time efficient, some inconsistencies were noted. Committee members occasionally experienced unavailable items, which required placing additional orders from different stores to ensure all ingredients arrived on time.
Overall, KITK’s community partners were overwhelmingly supportive of the program, with all respondents indicating interest in working with KITK again. It sounds like a recipe for success.
A New Year’s Resolution to Strengthen Our League
As we turn the page to 2026, many of us are taking a moment to reflect on what matters most: our purpose, our community, and the ways we want to grow. For The Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP), this sense of renewal aligns beautifully with the heart of our mission: promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community we share.
One of the most meaningful resolutions we can make this year is to support the Junior League’s Annual Fund. Through the generosity of our members and friends, the Annual Fund provides essential resources that allow our organization to thrive. These contributions fuel our programming, strengthen our community partnerships, and ensure we can continue offering transformative leadership opportunities to women across the region.
A gift to the Annual Fund is not just a donation. It is a statement of commitment. It is a way of saying, “I believe in this work. I believe in our members. I believe in the impact we make together.” And the best part is that your contribution is put to immediate use, supporting the initiatives and efforts that define who we are as a League.
As you set your resolutions for the year ahead, consider adding one that creates lasting change by investing in the Annual Fund here. Your participation strengthens our collective future, empowers fellow members, and helps us continue improving the communities we are privileged to serve.
Here’s to a year of purpose, connection, and impact, together.
From Bagels to Belonging: Sparking Connection Within the League

On September 27, The Junior League of Philadelphia hosted a Mingle and Brunch, bringing together first- and second-year members with seasoned leaders for a morning of connection, conversation, and inspiration.

Held at JLP Headquarters, the event welcomed more than 30 attendees who gathered to enjoy bagels and light bites, meaningful conversation, and a warm introduction to the JLP community. The morning opened with remarks from Erin McCahill, Co-Chair of Education and Volunteer Training (EVT), and Le Anne Ahern, Vice President of Membership Development, who highlighted the League’s mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities.

The brunch offered members the chance to get to know one another outside of trainings and volunteer shifts. Emily Forte, Co-Chair of EVT, led the group through a lively icebreaker (“This or That”) that revealed an abundance of beach-goers, dog-lovers, and early risers among those present.

Informal conversations sparked new friendships and helped members begin building the kind of connections that make League work both impactful and fun. We learned that our group included members from Luxembourg and Kazakhstan — and many former band geeks, including JLP President Pam Phojanakong, who played both saxophone and clarinet!

Looking ahead, members can expect a year filled with service, leadership, and learning. The brunch set the stage for deeper engagement, encouraging everyone to explore new ways to get involved and grow within the League. President-Elect Carrie Scheitrum inspired members to “just say yes” and to embrace opportunities outside their comfort zones, recounting her own experience accepting a role as Treasurer despite not having a formal background in finance.

Special thanks to EVT, the Social Committee, and Membership Development for planning such a thoughtful event, and to everyone who attended for bringing their energy, enthusiasm, and spirit of connection.

 

 

Find the Good Day: JLP Members Turn Optimism into Action

Twenty-four JLP members gathered at our Headquarters to commemorate International Find the Good Day on Saturday, September 20th. Volunteers prepared 140 meals for Mama-Tee Fridges, a mutual aid project that helps food-insecure neighbors access fresh, nutritious food.

 

The meals consisted of a wrap, side salad, and yogurt parfait, and were distributed to community fridges located at senior living centers, schools, and pharmacies throughout Philadelphia.

 

“Find the Good Day” was established by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) in 2023 as a global initiative to celebrate optimism, community, and positive change. The Junior League of Philadelphia centers food insecurity, hunger, and nutrition as a core focus of its mission and philanthropy, and this event offered members a hands-on way to make a tangible difference in the lives of neighbors in need.

 

Saturday morning began with chopping cucumbers and ended with yellow refrigerators overflowing with healthy, ready-to-eat meals—an inspiring reminder of the power of community, collaboration, and caring for others.yellow refrigerator with the words "Free Food" inscribed and filled with meals to-go prepared by the Junior Leauge of Philadelphia
Inspiration and Impact: Highlights from the September General Membership Meeting
On September 16, members of The Junior League of Philadelphia gathered at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for the first General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the 2025–2026 League year. New, Active, and Sustainer members reconnected amid vintage card catalogs and archives highlighting the League’s rich past, while Buena tacos added a flavorful touch to the evening.
The meeting opened with a warm welcome from JLP President Pam Phojanakong, emphasizing themes of community, growth, and meaningful engagement. Members were encouraged to explore new opportunities for involvement while continuing to support the initiatives that make JLP a vibrant force in Philadelphia.
A highlight of the evening was a Fireside Chat with Maggy Wilkinson, CEO of Athena Global Advisors, with Q&A hosted by Erin McCahill, Co-Chair of the Education and Volunteer Training Committee. Maggy shared insights on leadership and mentoring, prompting lively discussion and thoughtful reflection among attendees. When asked about creating lasting community partnerships, Maggy underscored the importance that we “mean it,” approaching every effort with authenticity and full presence.
Maggy Wilkinson, CEO of Athena Global Advisors

Adding depth and perspective to the evening, a Sustainers Panel gave members a window into the JLP’s past, present, and future. Bobbie Cameron, Mary Hinds, Marilyn Sprague, and Nancy Scarlatto reflected on their own experiences, shared lessons learned, and offered advice for newer members, inspiring meaningful engagement with the League’s programs. Through their stories, it became clear how JLP women have consistently risen to challenges—whether providing critical community support during the AIDS epidemic or hosting “bed and breakfast” fundraisers in their own homes, demonstrating creativity, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service.

Throughout the meeting, members had the chance to connect, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how they can contribute to the League’s mission. The event fostered a sense of belonging and reminded attendees of the collective impact that comes from dedicated service and leadership.

As the League year continues, members are encouraged to stay involved in upcoming volunteer projects, committee work, and networking opportunities. With the momentum from the September GMM, JLP is poised for another year of empowerment, service, and community impact.

The Heart Behind the Mission: Why the Annual Fund Matters
The Junior League of Philadelphia’s (JLP) Annual Fund plays a vital role in fueling our mission each year. By helping to cover operating costs, the Annual Fund allows us to do more — supporting both our community partners and our member programming.
In fact, everything the JLP accomplishes is backed by the Annual Fund. It strengthens our budget and ensures we can carry out meaningful, strategic work that directly aligns with our mission to improve lives in the Greater Philadelphia area.
For those who lead the effort, working on the Annual Fund is especially meaningful. Meaningful philanthropy is a hallmark of the JLP, and being able to encourage members to give — at any level — reflects the collective confidence in our mission. Whether it’s a small or large contribution, every gift makes a difference.
If you’re considering a donation this year, why not start with a gift that works for you? Even a contribution of $35 or more comes with the added benefit of earning a Ways & Means credit.
This year, our goal is to increase member participation. By joining your fellow members in giving, you’ll not only strengthen our community impact this year but also help us continue to do so for many years to come.
Press Release: The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. Gives Back With Community Partners This Fall

The Women’s Organization Promotes Nutrition, Education, and Service with Local Organizations This Fall

This fall, The Junior League of Philadelphia Inc. (JLP) is continuing its efforts to fight hunger and food insecurity across the Philadelphia region. The JLP is bringing its popular Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) initiative back to schools with a fall program and working with multiple local organizations throughout its Fall Service Weekend.

 

 

Photo Credit: The Junior League of Philadelphia

Many children throughout the greater Philadelphia area lack access to fresh, healthy food in the city, and the Kids in the Kitchen program helps to fight that struggle. Over the course of three weeks, students from Philadelphia schools will learn how to make a healthy meal, what makes a meal healthy, and how to be empowered and helpful at home and school.

Each lesson will feature a different, fun recipe for students to learn and master throughout the class, including options such as Fruity Face Pizza and Veggie Snails, Chocolatey Yogurt Dip and Strawberry Sunflower Butter, and Sheet Pan Nachos. Kids in the Kitchen aims to not only make these lessons educational but also fun for the students involved.
“We strive to improve the health and well-being of our community through our work and to develop the capabilities of our volunteers to be impactful,” said Pam Phojanakong, President of The Junior League of Philadelphia. “Through standing initiatives like Kids in the Kitchen and our efforts with multiple local organizations, our volunteer members are getting hands-on programming experience in addressing a range of food insecurity issues, and improving access to fresh, healthy food for children and families today.”

The JLP will participate in its annual Fall Service Weekend, collaborating with local non-profits across the Philadelphia region to create meaningful impact.

On October 25, the JLP will be working with the Riverbend Environmental Education Center to plant trees as the city heads into the winter months. The trees will help to protect local wildlife, combat climate change, and prevent runoff into the Schuylkill River, protecting our water supply.

On November 1, the JLP will gather at Mama-Tee’s Headquarters and make meals to distribute amongst their community fridges that are strategically located near schools, senior centers, and other community areas that are easily accessible to the public. That same day, members of the JLP will also partner with Share Food Program to pack boxes of food to be delivered to elderly members of the Philadelphia community.

On November 2, JLP members will gather at JLP Headquarters in Ardmore to decorate placemats that will be donated to Cathedral Kitchen to add color and warmth to the guests’ tables during their meals. These events are just some of the ways that the JLP works to address food insecurity in Philadelphia and improve access to fresh, healthy food.

For more information, please visit their website. Stay up to date with the organization’s events and news by following their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. For media inquiries and/or interview requests, please contact Lindsay@PhillyPRGirl.com.

About The Junior League of Philadelphia

The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The JLP welcomes all women who value its mission. They are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities. Since 1912, The JLP has been committed to addressing the many aspects of health and wellness in underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia area, whether it’s creating community gardens or providing nutritious meals to families in need. With over 700 trained volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of service annually, the organization empowers women volunteers to make meaningful change happen within the communities it proudly serves.

Junior League of Philadelphia Day Trip to the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia
On October 8, thirteen Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP) Sustainers met at the Masonic Temple on Broad Street for a tour of the historic Philadelphia national landmark. Construction on the building began in 1868 and was completed in 1873. It was designed by architect James H. Windrim and is home to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, as well as the Masonic Museum and Library.
The tour guide led the group through many beautiful rooms and spaces in the Temple, including the Renaissance, Corinthian, and Gothic Halls, the library, the Grand Ballroom, and the ornately decorated corridors adorned with large oil paintings of past Grand Masters. The building’s architecture features a striking Normandy-style exterior. After the tour, several Sustainers enjoyed lunch and conversation at Reading Terminal Market.
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