Junior League of Northern Virginia Celebrates 10 Years of Recipes for a Cause

Dec. 9, 2008 - PRLog -- The Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV), a women’s volunteer organization that empowers women to be a driving force to improve the Northern Virginia community, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its award-winning cookbook, What Can I Bring? Now in its fourth printing, the cookbook has yielded more than $150,000 in proceeds to support the JLNV’s community programs, which focus on preparing local children for success.

First published in 1999, What Can I Bring? is a collaborative effort by JLNV members. It includes more than 230 double-tested recipes using everyday, household ingredients and provides selections that are perfect for special holidays and gatherings or a delicious family weekday meal. One of the recipes even grabbed the attention of  former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier. After tasting the Black Russian Cake and discovering the secret ingredients--Kahlua and vodka--Mesnier exclaimed, “The Junior League of Northern Virginia’s Black Russian cake is so good you can almost serve it on the rocks!"

“For 10 years What Can I Bring? has provided a collection of favorite recipes that have delighted novice to gourmet cooks and has supported a number of important JLNV community initiatives,” said Tamara Ashford, JLNV president. “Outpacing the average cookbook sales cycle of five years adds even more meaning as we celebrate our 10th year of endearing recipes. The JLNV looks forward to continued strong sales of What Can I Bring?--not only as a vehicle to delight cooks and their families, but as a means to educate the public about the JLNV’s community involvement, development of women leaders and fundraising for future JLNV programs.”

Proceeds from sales of What Can I Bring? have benefited the following JLNV community initiatives:
•   A grant and endowment to Shelter House in Falls Church, Va., to build the Family Resource Center and ensure the long-term viability of its program services to homeless families
•   Expansion of the Prescription for Fun program to pediatric oncology patients
•   My Friend's House–a support program for children who are, or have a loved one who is, suffering or dying of cancer, which developed into the Life With Cancer program
•   Three multipurpose rooms at the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter
•   The JLNV’s current Signature Project–the JLNV has partnered with The Children’s Science Center to create a hands-on, science- and technology-focused museum for children in Northern Virginia
•   Back-to-School Health Fairs–providing uninsured children with immunizations, physicals and backpacks jammed with school supplies for a successful start to the school year
•   Kids Can–a JLNV-developed program for children living in area shelters to build character and promote a high standard of ethics as supported by the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs)
•   My Life–a JLNV-created program focused on improving children’s self-esteem through photography
•   Kids in the Kitchen–a program designed to help inform the community about the childhood obesity epidemic and provide sound nutrition and fitness education

What Can I Bring? is an affordable holiday gift and can be purchased for $19.95 plus tax and shipping by calling 703-442-4163, e-mailing cookbook@jlnv.org, and at a number of local stores, including Borders, The Dandelion Patch, Mount Vernon Gift Shop, Manassas Flower Gallery and other select gift shops throughout the region.

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The Junior League of Northern Virginia is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.