JUNIOR LEAGUE RAISES THOUSANDS FOR LOCAL NONPROFIT IN ONE NIGHT

Yakima, WA – Improving the lives of women and children is at the core of the work of the Junior League of Yakima.   At its February general membership meeting, members raised nearly $3000 in just one evening for the Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP) in Yakima through a live auction of gift baskets.  JLY President Amy McKinney presented a check for $2944 to YSPP representative Celisa Hopkins on March 10th.

            “The Junior League of Yakima reaches out to programs like the Youth Suicide Prevention Program, due to its dedication to improving the lives of children and teens in our local community, and improving the community overall. In these challenging economic times for social programs, we hope to participate in as many opportunities as possible in improving the lives of women and children, as part of our mission, said JLY President McKinney.

            According to the Youth Suicide Prevention Program’s Web site, a recent survey showed that one in 10 middle and high school students in Washington State had attempted to take their own life in the past 12 months, and one in five had seriously thought about it.

YSPP was grateful for the support. “The funds from Junior League will help us to educate both youth and adults about how to recognize and reach out to youth at risk of suicide, said Hopkins.