There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

The Junior League of Texarkana is set to host its 35th annual holiday market on November 18-20 at the Arkansas Convention Center

By Holly Dickeson, Junior League of Texarkana President

This year’s Mistletoe Market steering committee members include: (front row) Brianna Baird, McKynzi Harper, Morgan Cowling, Haley Williams and Holly Dickeson; (middle row) Victoria Herman, Felicia Horn, Jade Harris, Audrey Anderson, Emily Markle and Maria Woods; (top row)  Madeline Robbins, Marissa Johnston, Tiffany Studebaker, Jennifer Tyler and Voscia Walker.

The Junior League of Texarkana, Inc. (JLT) is an organization of women working with community partners to address and solve pressing issues such as childhood hunger and illiteracy. Since its formation in 1926, JLT has been instrumental in the development of community programs in Texarkana. These include Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, Hospice of Texarkana, Discovery Place Children’s Museum, Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure®, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, and Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. In alignment with the League’s current focus area, “Children: Literacy, Hunger, and Poverty,” JLT supports four community projects: 

Open Hearts Food Pantry – Upon learning that secondary students do not benefit from weekend food assistance programs such as those offered to elementary children, JLT members set out to find a solution. Open Hearts Food Pantry was adopted as a project in 2018 to meet the needs of middle school students facing food insecurity. Through this project, the League provides funding and volunteer hours in support of Harvest Texarkana’s weekend food assistance program.

Junior League members, Courtney Davis, Holly Dickeson and Shelby Akin present a $4,000 check to Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank’s CEO/Director Camille Wrinkle, during the League’s Open Hearts Food Pantry.

Packs for a Purpose – When children leave their homes through Child Protective Services, they’re often only given a trash bag to fill with their belongings. JLT members adopted Packs for a Purpose in 2018 to meet the needs of these children. The packs contain living essentials, school supplies, and comfort items which assist in maintaining the dignity of children. Backpacks are filled by members and distributed to local agencies twice annually. 

Collins Cockerell, Staci Brown, and Katelyn Jordan pack backpacks for JLT’s project, Packs for a Purpose.

Shoes for the Soul & Clothes for a Cause – Shoes for the Soul was adopted as a project in 2005. It has since expanded to include Clothes for a Cause. With support from local schools, children in need of shoes and clothing are identified. JLT members shop with these deserving children to select new, seasonally-appropriate shoes and clothes. The program is offered twice annually. 

Alissa Flanagan shops with a child at Target during JLT’s project, Shoes for the Soul/Clothes for a Cause.

Teacher Take Wing – Since the 1990s, JLT has awarded grants to area teachers for innovative classroom projects through Teacher Take Wing. With support from local schools, JLT distributes grant applications to teachers at the beginning of each school year. Applications are reviewed, scored, and ranked anonymously by the Teacher Take Wing Committee, and grants are awarded in the fall.

In addition to giving back to the community through projects, the Junior League of Texarkana is proud to support the development of its members as civic leaders through community service and training. JLT’s active members log over 10,000 combined, service hours annually, and the League budgets, on average, $20,000 for member training each year. As part of an international network of 295 Leagues comprised of over 125,000 women who are engaged in similar work in their own communities, JLT members have access to a unique and powerful depth of knowledge and resourcefulness to bring about community improvement.  

During Shoes for the Soul/ Clothes for a Cause, League members shop with deserving children to select new, seasonally-appropriate shoes and clothes.  Pictured are (front row) Erika Smith; (middle row) Tiyawna Gellington, Briley Hearn,  Courtney Boeckmann, Whitney Akins, Melodie White and Haleigh Alexander; (back row) Voscia Walker, Kelly Harvin, Alissa Flanagan, Kelsey Kuhn, Victoria Herman and Jade Harris.

The Junior League of Texarkana fulfills its mission through the community’s generous support of Mistletoe Market, the League’s primary fundraiser. Moreover, the event is a treasured tradition that has helped to kick off the Christmas season in Texarkana for over 35 years. The 2022 Mistletoe Market Committee has been at work for months, and the members are excited to present an event that will honor Mistletoe’s celebrated history and incorporate new ideas. From our Friday morning Mistletoe and Mimosas brunch, to Friday night’s Jingle and Mingle party, to Sunday’s Home for the “Paw”lidays pet adoption parade, along with a multitude of Children’s Events, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy! That being said, the Junior League of Texarkana invites all to shop, celebrate, and make memories at the 2022 Mistletoe Market!

Holly Dickeson, Venture Watson, Tiyawna Gellington and Shayla Nelson at Target supporting the League’s Shoes for the Soul/Clothes for a Cause project.

MISTLETOE MARKET AT A GLANCE

Mistletoe Market will kick off Friday, November 18, at 9 a.m. with Mistletoe and Mimosas. Tickets for the event are $40 and include admission, mimosas, brunch provided by Good Mood Food, a guided “make-and-take” project led by Katie Beckham with Greater Things, and private shopping. General shopping will be available from noon until 5 p.m. and will feature performances by local school groups on stage. The food court will be open during shopping hours and will feature locally-owned food trucks. Weekend pass tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. 

The market will reopen Friday evening at 7 p.m. for the Jingle and Mingle party. Tickets for the event are $60 and include market admission, heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Silver Star Smokehouse, beer and wine selections, a cash bar, entertainment by Heather Linn and the Deacons, and a silent auction paired with private shopping. The winner of the League’s benefit drawing will also be selected and announced during Jingle and Mingle. One lucky recipient will win their choice of a vacation for two to beautiful Belize, Walt Disney World Resort, or Lake Tahoe ski getaway. Benefit drawing tickets are $50, and only 200 will be sold! Ticket holders need not be present to win.

General shopping will be available on Saturday, November 19, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature performances by local music and dance groups on stage. The food court will be open during shopping hours. Children’s Events such as breakfast with Santa, Christmas crafts, and pictures with Santa will also be available throughout the day. The JLT even has a special “Mommy and Me” craft this year! Children’s Events tickets are $30-$40 depending on the event and include admission for the child, an interactive experience with Santa, a guided “make-and-take” activity, and pictures with Santa. Reservations for all Children’s Events are limited, and tickets are selling fast! Make sure to purchase yours with the QR code provided below.

General shopping will be available on Sunday, November 20, from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature performances by local music and dance groups on stage. The food court will be open during shopping hours. The Junior League of Texarkana is also thrilled to present the Home for the “Paw”lidays pet adoption pageant on Sunday from 2:30-3:30! Don’t miss out on this heartwarming event where local animal shelters will showcase pets in need of a home with style. Afterward, the shelters will have the pets ready for you to adopt just in time for the holidays! 

The Junior League of Texarkana invites all to visit the 35th annual Mistletoe Market on November 18-20 at the Arkansas Convention Center. To purchase tickets and/or make event reservations, contact a JLT member, or call the League office at 870-772-9948. Those who are interested can also scan the QR code below to purchase tickets online!