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Jack and JillContra Costa County ChapterWinter 2020

Monique Angara, President

3Greetings, Mothers,This newsletter will serve as a wonderful platform for us to highlight the accomplishments of the Contra Costa County Chapter. We have a robust program calendar that captures the organizational thrusts and engages our national partners. The work that we do is purposeful and impactful. We are “Civic Minded Mothers Uplifting Our Community One Child at a Time.” It is truly a blessing to work with such intelligent and driven women.Collectively, the Executive Board drafted a vision that I would like to share:Our vision for the Contra Costa County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., is to create programming that is progressive and offers unique enrichment in the following thrust areas: Culture, Education, Health, Civic, Social/Recreational, and Leadership Development. We also want to ensure that management of the chapter’s nances is transparent, and membership relations and chapter operations are fully aligned with the national organization. We will achieve this by being conscientious in our representation of the members of our chapter, being proactive in sharing information, providing stimulating growth opportunities for our children, and supporting initiatives aimed to better the conditions of our local community.Make yourself a hot cup of chamomile tea, put your feet up, and enjoy this chapter newsletter, which features our incredible families.Long Live Jack and Jill!In service and sisterhood,Monique S. Angara2019-2021 Chapter PresidentContra Costa County Chapter Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

4GALA 2020Wow!!! Mothers, we did it!You should all be very proud of yourselves and our chapter as a whole. Seeing how successful and FUN the gala was is invigorating. Wasn’t the sea of red, black, and white beautiful?So much detail was tended to: the warm hospitable welcome at the door, the artistic presentation of the aerialists, the sophisticated cigar and brandy pairing (truly a hit), the exquisite decorations, the 007 photo station and professional photography, the superb live band, the DJ being attentive to music that appealed to all age groups present (he was so good that it was hard to get the guests off the dance oor), Latondra Goode’s beautiful invocation, the wonderful greeting from RD Little, and I could go on!We raised $38,842.58!!!Please join us in congratulating the Gala Co-Chairs, Christina Carter and Mia Gunter. Their vision was impeccably executed, and their leadership style allowed everyone to freely share their personal talents.Congratulations to the following committee Chairs for their diligent work, positive energy, and effective leadership:Entertainment — Kimberlei Evans DixonRegistration — S. Jamila Buckner and Wanda McAdooDecorations — Carolyn BrownFinancial — Svonne UnderwoodSetup — Kim RobinsonCleanup — Cydia GarrettAuction — Merci RichardsonAudio Visual — Melissa SladdenSponsorship — Lillian SamuelSouvenir Book — Sukoji Grigsby

5How fortunate we all are to have a chapter full of women whose actions yield positive results. Because every mother in this chapter shared resources, unique skillsets, and creativity, we had a successful Heritage Ball.Felt called to act, Kimberley Goode solidied our corporate sponsor. Associate mother Elaine Alexander graciously accepted the invitation to come back and join the Decorations Committee. Because Karla Fields was traveling, she knew she couldn’t make the event, but she still showed up to help set up during the morning of the gala. These are just a few of the remarkable ways in which personal investments collectively added to our chapter’s successful venture.Below are a few quotes from the many texts and emails we have received:“I had a wonderful time! Congrats on a successful event…. Keep up the amazing work. Thanks again for the invitation. So glad to be a part of a wonderful event.” —RD Little“It was a pleasure to meet the chapter members…. I had a great time. Thank you for everything.” —RPC Tyson “Congratulations on a successful gala. Your Heritage Ball was superb! Lillian was an excellent Mistress of Ceremonies with her fabulous wardrobe changes! I valued hearing rsthand from the Love-A-Child Missions representative. The Contra Costa County Chapter has truly found an organization that reects whom we are called to serve: mothers and children.” —MAL Penny “The Contra Costa County Chapter always does such a great job with the gala, but you all really stepped it up a notch!” —Chapter President Lucas and Chapter Treasurer Dozier Bravo, mothers! Mission Possible and Mission Accomplished!

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9JACK AND JILL GOES PURPLEIn November, our Chapter wore purple to support the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, which aims to reduce premature birth in the United States and to give every baby a fair chance for a healthy full-term birth. Yet, this fair chance is not reality for all babies. The preterm birth rate rose to 9.8 percent in 2019, up .2 percent from 9.6 in 2018, marking the second consecutive increase after steady declines over the previous seven years. The March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card reveals racial/ethnic and geographic disparities, which signify that babies have a higher chance of a premature birth based simply on their race/ethnicity and their zip code.In 2017, the March of Dimes convened the Prematurity Campaign Collaborative to address the persistent health inequities and rising rate of preterm births in the United States. Through the Collaborative, hundreds of organizations and experts work together on the shared challenge to “Achieve Equity and Demonstrated Improvements in Preterm Birth.” If you would like to join the Collaborative or receive its newsletter, send an email to collaborative@marchofdimes.org. Prematurity Campaign activities fall into ve main areas:1. Research and discovery2. Care innovation and community engagement3. Advocacy4. Education5. Family-centered newborn intensive care units (NICUs)

10CALLING NEW OFFICERSPlease join our Chapter in congratulating the following new ofcers to the Executive Board:Program Director — Latondra GoodeRecording Secretary — Marisha HopsonFinancial Secretary — Lisa GambleChaplain — Udanda ClarkEditor — Christine PauleySergeant-at-Arms — Melissa SladdenYour skillsets will be invaluable. Your commitment and desire to serve are greatly appreciated.

11BREAKFAST WITH SANTAPleasant Hill Community Center

12GROUP V FUNDRAISER KENDRA SCOTT, WALNUT CREEK

13We celebrated the incredible legacy of our founding mothers to provide services and programs for our children. Jack and Jill was founded in 1938 to provide children and teens with social, cultural, and educational opportunities. Today we salute our founders!Jack and Jill of America goes red! Our Chapter wore red in solidarity with the American Red Cross to support heart health for women across this nation.

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15BIRTHDAYSNovemberUdanda ClarkDecemberJamila BucknerCarla FieldsLisa GambleMelissa SladdenPetrina WinstonJanuarySukoji GrigsbyMerci RichardsonShelly WhyteFebruaryChristina CarterAngela MooreCherisse ShephardKelly Willoughby