About 50 women gathered at the home of Joan Vogel earlier this month for a reunion of Junior Friends. These are women who have been involved with the Campagna Center almost as long as they can remember.
One of the fundraising arms of the center, this group of women has provided both fund-raising and volunteer support to The Campagna center since 1969. Comprised of approximately 200 individuals within a wide array of ages and backgrounds, they engage in a variety of committee activities which raise funds for the center’s programs. There are three annual fund-raising events, Toast to Alexandria, Angel Ball and the upcoming Scottish Christmas Walk.
Most of the women who met for the reunion at Joan Vogel’s home are no longer Junior Friends; instead they are part of the Supporting Friends network or help the Campagna Center in other ways. Many things have changed over the years with the Scottish Walk and a few of the members shared their thoughts about past Scottish Walks.
“I do remember in 2002 it snowed a lot on Thursday night. Well, the marketplace was open and many of the vendors did not come in to sell their wares. Many of the shoppers are walking in from their nearby homes and we were busy. Carter Flemming, myself and other volunteers were selling their things and hoping everything had a price tag on it—or we made it up. We must have guessed the prices correctly, the vendors were very grateful when they arrived.”
— Bridget Teter
“I joined the Junior Friends 15 years ago, when we moved to Alexandria when it was known as the Y. We baked cookies for the Walk and the phone was answered by Jan Taylor and James [Lender] was the backbone and muscles. The parade was always a highlight and the Scotch Tasting was the kickoff for the Season.
“John still remembers how many stairs there are to Christ Church auditorium because I was involved with the Craft Fair there. I remember decorating many Ceildah homes over the years and loving every minute.
“As a director I was able to participate in Board Meetings and was so impressed with the dedication and goodness of the members.
“As a past chair of the Supporting Friends it still is a wonderful feeling to see how so many still believe in the mission of the Campagna Center, Caring for the Women and Children of Alexandria. Now as a Circle Member, I have realized that the Campagna Center has given me so much enjoyment and friendship over the years and at the same time raising monies for those who have not been as fortunate.”
— Diane Hynes
“In the olden days, the Junior Friends made gift items for a Junior Friends Boutique at the Christmas Corner, which was held annually in the parish hall of Christ Church. I had a workshop at my house in the fall of 1976 to make Bat Man and Super Man capes. One of the volunteers who came was Jane Lukes, whom I met for the first time. She was pregnant and I was pregnant, and we forged a common bond which has lasted 29 years.
“My baby is Susan, who will turn 29 on Dec. 1, and her baby is Alison, who obviously is close in age to Susan. Alison is, in fact, a Junior Friend now. Susan was a Junior Friend, but no longer had the time when she was in grad school earning her MSW and doesn't have time at the moment with her very demanding job as a therapeutic social worker. I wish I had some pictures. What's more I wish I had a cape or two.”
— Alice Close
“Some of my fondest memories over the last 27 years, as first a Junior Friend and now a Supporting Friend of The Campagna Center, include the magical transformations of the ‘Day of the Walk.’ Months and months of preparation have always preceded the Scottish Christmas Walk event ... even before it evolved into the current three-day banquet of excitement and Holiday Spirit. The camaraderie and diligence of the Junior Friends saw us through the many ups and downs of bringing this joyous extravaganza to life for the very best of reasons... to raise critically needed funds for the Campagna Center's programs for children. Our ‘reward’ arrived each year as the Parade stepped off to the sound of Pipes filling the crisp air and we looked out over the blocks and blocks of smiling, cheering people... all of us transformed and transported by the Scottish Walk from the rush and crush of daily concerns to a magical day of community spirit.”
— Joan Dale