1970s

The 70’s found the Leagues efforts concentrated on the arts and children’s needs. The old Government House was purchased, renovated and then given to the city in 1971. A vision screening program, drug forum and 14,000 drug abuse surveys were projects undertaken by our members in the early 70’s. An emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children was established and “fun books” were provided to hospitalized children. Also, an Arts in the Schools Program was initiated during this period and the DeBaillou Room of the Augusta-Richmond County Museum was renovated with our volunteer hours and funds.

1980s

The 80’s were a decade of tremendous growth for the Junior League of Augusta. The Teen Awareness Project, begun in 1979-1980, educated students on teenage pregnancy. Volunteer hours and dollars were channeled into such worthwhile projects as Hospice, Glaucoma and Diabetes Screenings, the Ronald McDonald House, and YWCA Safe Homes (a safe haven for domestic violence victims). Our involvement also extended to the “Hands on Art” and the Healthy Heart programs in the area schools. G.A.T.E. (Gain Awareness Through Education) was undertaken to educate and prevent juvenile drug abuse in schools, and subsequently our league formed ARCADE (Augusta-Richmond County Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Education). R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) used our volunteers to help utilize the volunteer capabilities of senior citizens. Project Rainbow (positive experiences for children with cancer), Mini Grants (grants awarded to motivated teachers), Kaleidoscope (a traveling art workshop), the Augusta Resource Center on Aging (explores the needs of the elderly), and the “Woman to Woman” (educates women about alcohol abuse) projects were established as well. The Junior League topped off the decade by celebrating our 60th anniversary with a gift of $40,000 to the city of Augusta and the Richmond County Museum for the Oglethorpe Room.