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 keeping with the League’s current focus area, “Children: Literacy, Hunger and Poverty,” JLT supports five community projects:

*This year’s Mistletoe Market co-chairs are Holly Dickeson and Felicia Horn. (Photo by Kayla Brint Photography)*

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.

Packs for a Purpose – When children must leave their homes through Child Protective Services, they often have only a trash bag in which to gather 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. The program is offered twice annually.

*Junior League members, Samantha Bryant, LaToya Carson, Molly McInnis and Melissa Delk, fill bags as part of JLT’s Packs for a Purpose Project.*

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.

*Felicia Horn assists a child with selecting shoes during the League’s Shoes for the Soul & Clothes for a Cause event.*

Spring Into Reading – Spring Into Reading was adopted as a project in 2006 with the aim of encouraging elementary students to take a greater interest in reading. In partnership with local schools, JLT selects a local elementary campus and coordinates a reading-themed pep rally and classroom visits. At the end of the day, each student is given a backpack filled with grade-appropriate books to take home.

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 291 Leagues comprised of over 140,000 women engaged in similar work in their own communities, JLT members have access to unique and powerful depth of knowledge and resourcefulness to bring about community improvement.

*New members Melissa Hardy, Shane Riddell, Varonica Kennedy and Kayla Hill prepare to shop with students at Shoes for the Soul & Clothes for a Cause.*

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 kickoff the Christmas season in Texarkana for over 30 years. The 2019 Mistletoe Market Committee has been at work since February, and the members are excited to present an event that will, both, honor Mistletoe’s celebrated history and incorporate new ideas. With something for everyone, the Junior League of Texarkana invites all to shop, celebrate and make memories at Mistletoe Market 2019!

Mistletoe Market at a Glance

Mistletoe Market will begin on Friday, November 22, at 10 a.m. with Mistletoe and Mimosas. Tickets for the event are $30 and include admission, refreshments with mimosas, a guided, “make-and-take” project and private shopping. General shopping will be available from noon until 4 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. General admission tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door, and weekend passes are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

The market will reopen on Friday evening at 7 for Preview Party. Tickets for the event are $50 and include admission, heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Silver Star Smokehouse, beer and wine selections, a cash bar, entertainment by Heather Linn & The Deacons, a silent auction and private shopping. The Benefit Drawing winner will be selected and announced during Preview Party. One lucky recipient will win their choice of a vacation for two to Cancun, San Francisco and Sonoma, or Tahoe. Benefit Drawing tickets are $50. Only 200 will be sold! Ticket holders need not be present to win.

General shopping will be available on Saturday, November 23 from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and will feature performances by local music and dance groups on stage. The food court will be open during shopping hours. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make their entrance at 8:45 a.m., and Children’s Events will be offered throughout the day. Children’s Events tickets are $30 and include admission for the child, an interactive experience with Santa, a guided, “make-and-take” activity and pictures with Santa by Alamond Photography with a digital image disc. Reservations are limited! Photos with Santa will be available for all guests on Saturday from 4-6 p.m.

Ladies’ Night Out will be held on Saturday evening from 6-9. Tickets for the event are $30 and include admission, a goodie bag, hors d’oeuvres catered by Verona, beer and wine selections, a cash bar, entertainment by Trophy Husband and private shopping with special deals. The Handbag Drawing winners will be selected and announced. Three designer handbags will up for grabs: Louis Vuitton Speedy 25, Michael Kors Gramercy, and Michael Kors Rhea backpack. Handbag Drawing tickets are $10 each or $40 for five. Every fifth ticket is free! Ticket holders need not be present to win.

General shopping will be available on Sunday, November 24, from noon until 4 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 will continue on Sunday, and Santa photos will be available for all guests from 3 p.m. until close. Animal rescue groups will be on-site throughout the afternoon to introduce guests to cats and dogs in need of homes. The animals will be featured on stage during “PAWject Runway,” JLT’s annual showcase for rescue pets.

The Junior League of Texarkana invites all to join us at Mistletoe Market on November 22-24 at its new location, Arkansas Convention Center. To purchase tickets and/or make event reservations, contact a JLT member, call the League office at 870-772-9948, or visit JLT online at: www.jltexarkana.org/mistletoe-market.

*Harvest Regional Food Bank receives a check as part of JLT’s Open Hearts Food Pantry project.*

MISSION

The Junior League of Texarkana, Inc. (JLT) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

2019 Mistletoe Market

Committee

Co-Chairs: Holly Dickeson and Felicia Horn

Auction: Courtney Davis, Marissa Escobar

and Ashton Huntze

Children’s Events: Morgan Cowling and Haley Williams

Decorations: Natalie Copeland

In-Kind: Shawna Parry and Alana Sikes

Mistletoe Market Logistics: Kelsey Reynolds

and Jade Ruth

Public Relations: Monica Griffin and Holly Jones

Mistletoe Market Scheduling: Amanda Holley

Mistletoe Market Special Events: Kelly Harvin

and Brook Mudford

Stage/Entertainment: Courtney Gutierrez

Tickets: Jessica Miller and Joy Sandefur

Mistletoe Market Underwriting: Cheyenne Anderson

and Alissa Flanagan

Mistletoe Market Vendors: Jessica Plant, Ashli Sutton

and Maranda Wells

Feature Stories

New Name...New Location...30+ Years of Tradition