What we Do
As active members of the League, we have the honor to continue a legacy begun in 1931 by eighteen resourceful young women to "promote growth and development in children throughout Martinsville and Henry County." We continue that tradition today by participating in the following community programs:
Charity League for the Performing Arts
For over 20 years, Charity League brought children’s theatre to Martinsville and Henry County through the Missoula Children's Theater. Missoula (a Montana-based touring company) arrived each year in Martinsville for a week-long stay, working with 50 to 60 local children to perform plays such as "Robin Hood" and "The Emperor's New Clothes" for the community. In 2020, Charity League made the decision to make our children’s theatre opportunities totally local! By partnering with Patrick Henry Community College Patriot Players (Martinsville, VA) and Virginia Children’s Theatre (Roanoke, VA), Charity League will now support not one but TWO opportunities for the children of MHC to hone their acting skills, curate their on-stage talents, and build everlasting friendships. In the fall of 2019, Charity League participated in a trial community partnership to help the Patriot Players bring their first children's play to life. The success of Frozen Jr has given us full confidence to forge this new partnership that we hope will last for years to come. We anticipate and are working towards safely bringing our first official local production with the VCT Summer Camp in the summer of 2021 followed by the Patriot Players Children's Theater in the Fall of 2021.
Young Artists Gallery at Piedmont Arts Association
Each school in Martinsville and Henry County has the opportunity to exhibit art from their students in this community placement. Budding artists have the thrill of having their work displayed in this state of the art facility. The League partners with Piedmont Arts to hang artwork from the schools each month in the Young Artist's Gallery.
Scholarships
Each year several qualified high school seniors are selected to receive a $1000 scholarship. Recently the League introduced the renewable scholarship program, allowing prior scholarship recipients the opportunity to apply for another scholarship. Recipients of these scholarships are chosen based on college plans, financial need, grade point averages, recommendations from guidance counselors and community involvement.
A Brighter Christmas
Charity League partners with organizations within our community to apply for grants, participate in fundraising activities, and identify children in need. For the Christmas season, league members shop, wrap, and deliver Christmas gifts to older children and teens in our area who may not qualify for other Christmas charity services. Because many other programs typically provide toys and gifts to children 10 and under, our goal is to provide "a brighter Christmas" for older children, who may not otherwise receive gifts. While work for A Brighter Christmas takes place from June to December, the majority of work takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Bargain Fair
The largest fundraiser for the Charity League is Bargain Fair. Held annually in the fall, the Bargain Fair is a place to purchase toys and clothing for children of all ages and a vast variety of items from furniture to sporting goods. It encompasses quite a bit of work for the active members, but it is a time for everyone to work together. It usually takes at least a year to prepare for these few hours when people begin lining up about two hours before the doors open to a wonderland of finds. For more information, click here.
Fundraising Gala
Each year the charity league presents our second largest fundraiser - the Charity League Gala. The planning committee works hard all year choosing a theme and planning our biggest social event. Community members are invited to purchase tickets (or tables) and join us for an evening of food, beverages, dancing, and a wonderful silent auction featuring a variety of goods. For more information on the Charity League Gala, please check our facebook page where we create an event every year.
Touch A Truck
Touch A Truck is a family community event which showcases different modes of transportation for people to see, hear and touch. Community members of all ages are invited to check out vehicles like an army truck, fire truck, ambulance, race car, police car, school bus, and construction vehicles, just to name a few. During this event, we even have an actual helicopter land for all to see, and it’s the coolest thing ever! Children of all ages will have a blast and this event is fun for the whole family. For more information, click here.
Not only do members of the League give of their time,