Holly Meehan is gearing up for the Junior League
of Boca Raton’s Woman of the Year luncheon, which
marks its 25th anniversary this year. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Lucy Lazarony
For Holly Meehan, her life changed one Saturday in October 2010.
On that day, which she dubbed Super Saturday, Meehan, a new volunteer with the Junior League of Boca Raton, was taking a bus tour of every nonprofit and charitable organization that the Junior League of Boca Raton assists.
And she was two weeks away from giving birth to her youngest son, Alexander.
“I had this giant belly with my husband’s college shirt on because it had to be so huge,” Meehan, a mother of three, remembers with a laugh.
The personal stories of children and families being assisted by charitable organizations such as the Florence Fuller Child Development Centers resonated deeply with Meehan. Her heart sprang open, and the tears flowed.
“How can I help these people? How can I help these kids? It was really inspiring,” Meehan says.
And she’s been an enthusiastic volunteer with the Junior League of Boca Raton ever since.
“You hear story after story. You can’t help but want to sign on your volunteer hours to such an amazing organization,” Meehan says.
Every year, volunteers from the Junior League of Boca Raton assist area nonprofit organizations with volunteer hours, monetary grants or a combination of both.
The aim is improving the lives of children and families in the south Palm Beach County area.
Meehan and her oldest son,
George, 5, and her daughter, Olivia, 4, all help with sandwich days at Boca Helping Hands, preparing backpacks full of sandwiches, snacks and juice boxes for elementary school children in need.
“As a mother, it feels good. I’m setting an example for my kids that you need to give back,” says Meehan, who lives in Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club in Boca Raton with her husband, David, and their three children.
Just how many hours does Meehan log in as a volunteer with the Junior League of Boca Raton? She honestly doesn’t know.
“I don’t even count them, to tell you the truth,” Meehan says. “I love volunteering with children. I like doing literacy programs. I like helping women get jobs.”
And this year she is chairwoman of the League’s 25th Annual Woman Volunteer of the Year luncheon, the Junior League of Boca Raton’s biggest fundraising event.
In 2011, the Woman Volunteer of the Year Luncheon raised more than $162,000. And Meehan hopes to top that amount at this year’s luncheon, to be held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club on Oct. 18.
“I really love the League, and I want to raise awareness and money any way I can,” says Meehan.
The Woman Volunteer of the Year luncheon honors 25 local women from various nonprofit organizations throughout Palm Beach County for their dedication, focus and passion for improving the lives of others.
This year’s luncheon includes a fashion show from Neiman Marcus, a silent auction and raffle, a video highlighting the contributions of the 25 nominees and, of course, an announcement of the volunteer of the year.
The best part of the luncheon for Meehan?
“The nominees, for sure. We have seven League nominees this year, but everyone is incredible. And most of these women aren’t volunteering with one organization. They’ve spent their lives giving back.”
If You Go
25th anniversary of the Woman of the Year luncheon, benefiting the Junior League of Boca Raton and the charities and nonprofit organizations the League assists. The event includes a fashion show from Neiman Marcus, a silent auction and a raffle.
Where: Boca Raton Resort and Club, Mizner Center Grand Ballroom
When: Oct. 18
10:30 a.m.: Silent auction and raffle
11:30 a.m.: Luncheon
Tickets: Silver Seating $125, Platinum Runway Seating $200 (with champagne)
For more information, call (561) 620-2553 or visit www.wvoy.org/www.jlbr.org/wvoy.
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