The History of JSL Bartow
The Junior Service League of Bartow (JSL) was founded on March 8, 1966. Lee Campbell, the League’s charter president, had a vision of service to the community of Bartow. Although service projects have changed throughout the years, JSL’s desire to make a difference in the community of Bartow has remained steadfast.
The first major project of the League, known as the Bargain Box, was a store front thrift shop on Main Street. League members and close friends donated items to the store and the profits generated by sales helped fund JSL’s projects.
Many hours of service were spent at Polk County Hospital. The ladies of JSL brought reading materials, coffee and tea to patients. These patients always looked forward to the visits. The service at the hospital motivated the League to get more involved in the medical field. Subsequently, they attended trainings and purchased equipment that enabled them to administer hearing test to local preschoolers at the Health Department. As they became proficient and experienced in hearing tests, they went a step further and began vision testing, too. They planned to do these at Health Department but plans changed due to need and they ended up in elementary schools, serving thousands of children over the years.
Children have continued to be in the hearts of this League. That was evident through the community plays they performed for school aged children. Aladdin’s Lamp, The Un-Wicked Witch, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Jack and the Bean Stalk and Pinocchio were just a few. Countless service hours were also put into the Junior Olympics, an annual event that lasted nearly 20 years. The participants in the Junior Olympics represented each elementary school in the area. Events such as the bean bag throw, 50 yard dash, soccer kick competition and various relays made it a memorable event for children and parents.
The League has also had a long-standing relationship with The Achievement Academy, previously known as the Child Development Center, which is a school for children with developmental delays. Since the 1980’s the League has hosted holiday parties and has delivered many needed items for the teachers to enrich the learning environment. The League is proud to say that they assisted in paying off the mortgage to the building that the Achievement Academy is housed in today. Currently, we give a large donation of items from a wish list that is given to us by the teachers at the Bartow Achievement Academy.
Throughout the years the ladies of the League have honored past and sustaining members by hosting events such as Anniversary Luncheons and Sustainer Teas. The 20th Anniversary Luncheon was held at the home of Freddie Guess, now the Stanford Inn, and the 35th Anniversary Luncheon was held at the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church. We held our 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2016 at Sackett Ranch. For 2026, the Sustainer Tea will be at Unfiltered in Bartow. Social gatherings are always great events for the ladies of the Junior Service League of Bartow. Building relationships with the women of the League has proven to be as rewarding as the service to the community.
JSL also supports the Women’s Care Center, a transitional facility for homeless women and children. We began donating canned goods and health care products, but when the center expanded we sponsored one of the bedrooms. We purchased the furniture and decorated the room and continue to purchase items as requested. At present, we are still committed to the Women’s Care Center.
Whatever the event or cause, the Legacy of fundraising and service of the league continues. We have been and always will be a group of women who give our time to serve the extraordinary community we call home.
The first major project of the League, known as the Bargain Box, was a store front thrift shop on Main Street. League members and close friends donated items to the store and the profits generated by sales helped fund JSL’s projects.
Many hours of service were spent at Polk County Hospital. The ladies of JSL brought reading materials, coffee and tea to patients. These patients always looked forward to the visits. The service at the hospital motivated the League to get more involved in the medical field. Subsequently, they attended trainings and purchased equipment that enabled them to administer hearing test to local preschoolers at the Health Department. As they became proficient and experienced in hearing tests, they went a step further and began vision testing, too. They planned to do these at Health Department but plans changed due to need and they ended up in elementary schools, serving thousands of children over the years.
Children have continued to be in the hearts of this League. That was evident through the community plays they performed for school aged children. Aladdin’s Lamp, The Un-Wicked Witch, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Jack and the Bean Stalk and Pinocchio were just a few. Countless service hours were also put into the Junior Olympics, an annual event that lasted nearly 20 years. The participants in the Junior Olympics represented each elementary school in the area. Events such as the bean bag throw, 50 yard dash, soccer kick competition and various relays made it a memorable event for children and parents.
The League has also had a long-standing relationship with The Achievement Academy, previously known as the Child Development Center, which is a school for children with developmental delays. Since the 1980’s the League has hosted holiday parties and has delivered many needed items for the teachers to enrich the learning environment. The League is proud to say that they assisted in paying off the mortgage to the building that the Achievement Academy is housed in today. Currently, we give a large donation of items from a wish list that is given to us by the teachers at the Bartow Achievement Academy.
Throughout the years the ladies of the League have honored past and sustaining members by hosting events such as Anniversary Luncheons and Sustainer Teas. The 20th Anniversary Luncheon was held at the home of Freddie Guess, now the Stanford Inn, and the 35th Anniversary Luncheon was held at the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church. We held our 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2016 at Sackett Ranch. For 2026, the Sustainer Tea will be at Unfiltered in Bartow. Social gatherings are always great events for the ladies of the Junior Service League of Bartow. Building relationships with the women of the League has proven to be as rewarding as the service to the community.
JSL also supports the Women’s Care Center, a transitional facility for homeless women and children. We began donating canned goods and health care products, but when the center expanded we sponsored one of the bedrooms. We purchased the furniture and decorated the room and continue to purchase items as requested. At present, we are still committed to the Women’s Care Center.
Whatever the event or cause, the Legacy of fundraising and service of the league continues. We have been and always will be a group of women who give our time to serve the extraordinary community we call home.
