Letters to the Editor

CANCELED 'TREASURES'

I would like to take this opportunity to provide the community with an update on this year's Junior League of Lafayette Tinsel and Treasures fundraiser. Due to the devastation caused along the Gulf Coast, and the fact that our neighbors have turned to our community for shelter, it was necessary for the administrators of the Cajundome to cancel event contracts. Therefore, our 12th annual Tinsel and Treasures Holiday Market has been cancelled. This event was scheduled for Sept. 21-24, 2005.

The Junior League of Lafayette would like to thank our sponsors and the community for their generosity and continued support of Tinsel and Treasures. In the past 11 years, Tinsel and Treasures has raised more than $1.8 million. These funds have been used to provide financial support for the Junior League of Lafayette and its mission to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Community projects benefiting from these funds include the Acadiana Arts Council, the University Art Museum, Junior Symphony, The Family Tree, Hospice of Acadiana, The Volunteer Center, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, Salvation Army and many others.

The Junior League of Lafayette is continuing the Dodge Durango raffle. Tickets are available from our members and at the Junior League of Lafayette office at 504 Richland Ave. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005. Tinsel and Treasures admission tickets will be refunded Sept. 26 through Oct. 18. Questions regarding cancellation of Tinsel and Treasures should be directed to the Junior League of Lafayette at (337) 988-2739.

On behalf of the Junior League, I want to thank the community for the many thoughtful suggestions on how we can be of service during this very critical time. Many of us have been affected as we open our homes and our hearts to those who have suffered the loss of all that they have known.