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May 20, 2012
May 2006- To the tune of “So Long, Farewell” from the Sound of Music, the outgoing class of 2006 swept President Michelle Norris out of the room.  And there I stood-oh my gosh--- I really am President of Charity League now!!! Breathe Deep….Breath Slow….I can do this.
 
As I reflect on my year as President, I am so glad it was the Year of the Child. It gave me the opportunity to meet and work with so many sustainers and Past Presidents that I might not have otherwise. We were able to touch the lives of over 7000 children during the twelve months of YOTC. It was a wonderful tribute to the 75th anniversary of the League!
 
We were able to fund a classroom at the new Virginia Museum of Natural History that will give not just local children, but those from all over, a place to learn and have fun. 
 
We created a new board position-Computer Secretary. We moved our office to the Pythian Building on Courthouse Square. We stuffed 500 stockings for the Salvation Army’s Christmas program. We sponsored 30 campers to 4-H, awarded 22 college scholarships, participated in four events at the local farmer’s market and sold over $1200 in baked goods, along with over 10 cases of our cookbook, Barracuda in Velvet Gloves. (At $10 a copy, they make great gifts-contact Fundraising Secretary Tonya Bredamus!) We had a shopping day at Sassy Selections and raised over $500. We staffed TGIF and received $750 for our efforts. We continued sponsorship and placements of Minds in Motion, Young Artists Gallery, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Success by Six, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martinsville and Henry County, eye screening, and the “Not Me, Not Now” teen pregnancy prevention program.
 
And, lest we forget-we had Bargain Fair! 
 
Looking back - those 12 months flew by- and before I knew it, a couple of nights ago the outgoing class of 2007 was serenading us with their rendition of “The Seven Years of Charity League” sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, and I had passed the gavel and tiara to Cindy Edgerton.   Oh my gosh- I’m no longer President of Charity League!   Breathe Deep! Big Smile! :)