Suzanne Durham of St. Clair County was selected as a 2019 Torchbearer for the Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) to help in their fundraising efforts for Community of Lights campaign.

Two years ago, the Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) announced plans to celebrate and commemorate their 100th Anniversary. The organization will provide One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center the lead gift to acquire and remodel a permanent space for operations. 

As part of the effort to provide this gift, the JLB has engaged a cross-section of the Birmingham community to come together in an effort to cast a wider net for fundraising and awareness.  

Collectively over the last two years, the 2017 and 2018 Torchbearers, with the help of over 1,500 individual donors, have raised over $500,000 toward the JLB’s goal of $1.25 million.

On March 11, the torches were passed to 20 new torchbearers who are ready to raise $10,000 each, totaling $200,000 for this year’s goal.  Each torchbearer was chosen to represent their specific community and to cast their light on all those around them.  This process works to collectively touch each community in the greater Birmingham metro area.

“We are extremely excited to announce the 2019 Torchbearers who will be instrumental in our efforts to raise funds for the centennial gift,” said Elizabeth Burgess, Junior League of Birmingham President. “With the help of our tremendous benefactors and advocates, the Junior League of Birmingham has the opportunity to truly make a difference in the city of Birmingham.” 

In 2018 alone, the JLB put more than $2.5 million into the Birmingham community through a combination of direct funding and the value of volunteer hours. The organization also currently dedicates resources and volunteers to more than 38 Community Projects addressing critical needs in the area. 

The One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center is a center providing coordinated services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through a team of agency professionals who work together under one roof. Currently service agencies include: The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, YWCA of Central Alabama, Crisis Center, Inc. – Rape Response Program, and the Birmingham Police Department. One Place offers forensic nursing for victims of sexual assault, civil and criminal legal counseling, emergency housing placement, job placement, public benefits assistance and safety planning. 

“Each gift creates a stronger, brighter light for our community in our fight against domestic violence and sexual assault as we work toward our goal of $1.25 million to be the lead gift for a permanent home for One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center,” the JLB stated in a release.

To learn more about the Junior League of Birmingham, the campaign, or to make a gift to support one of the Torchbearers, please check out: communityoflights.swellgives.com.