About Us

The Bermuda Junior Service League was founded in 1936 by Mrs. C. Vail-Zuill and was modelled on the Junior Leagues of America. During the early years, the League grew in a variety of activities that stemmed from its original concept of helping the hospital, the welfare Society, and the LCCA.

Over the years the projects and community service that the League has carried out during its existence have been numerous and extremely varied. They have all been conducted with the aim of promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community in which we live. Many of the past projects include the following:

•  The League's first major project was establishing the Victoria Lodge for underprivileged children in 1937. Operation of this project continued until 1945.

•  In 1940, the League opened a toyshop to sell Bermudian hand crafted toys, as there were restrictions on the importation of toys.

•  In 1953 the League was approached with regard to forming a Hospital Auxiliary, to assist the KEMH. Life Members of the League formed the Women's Auxiliary (the Pink Ladies), which today is an indispensable, separate organization.

•  The League was well known for their extravagant plays and fashion shows in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. These were successful fundraising projects for the League.

•  One of the largest projects undertaken by the League was the building of the Deliverance in the late 1960's. The replica of the original ship was launched on May 8, 1971. The League continued to operate this project with the help of members' volunteering their time, until 1996 when the ship was sold. The sale proceeds went to local charities, including to the construction of the Windreach playground.

•  The League has donated money for the playground equipment, for a ramp to be built and a Tebin to be constructed at Windreach.

•  The League was well known for their Christmas teas and bake sales held at private homes, which were decorated for the Christmas season by members and opened to the public as fundraisers. These ran from the 1980's to early 2000's.

•  In 1990 the League introduced the Kids on the Block puppets program. Puppets were brought in and League members volunteered their time taking the puppets to schools and producing puppet shows that dealt with difficult subjects such as divorce, asthma, physical disabilities, etc. The project operated through the League for 9 years before it was turned over to Windreach Recreational Village who now put on monthly shows at the Village.

•  In the early 1990's, the League brought in TV personality and magazine publisher, Martha Stewart as a fundraising project. A luncheon and seminar was put on with Martha as the featured guest.

•  The League circulated the library cart at KEMH to patients on the wards several times a week for many years.

•  In 1999, the League spent $12,000.00 furnishing the KEMH Rape Crisis Room.

•  In 2000, the League spent $23,000.00 providing the KEMH with a maternity bed.

•  The League volunteered and assisted in organizing and serving at the annual tea for seniors held in their honour by Government at Camden House for many years

•  The League sponsored a pamphlet produced by the Bermuda Police Service on women's safety and community awareness stickers that are printed on public parking lot vouchers.

•  For many years the League assisted The Haven (a temporary home for young women) with their annual appeal for funding. The League wrote and distributed the annual letter and collected and deposited the funds on The Haven's behalf.

•  Funded by the League, philanthropist Sylvia Munro crocheted lap blankets in 2002 and 2003 for senior residents at Westmeath and Pembroke Rest Homes and nursery school children.

•  The League ran Santa's Grotto as a fundraiser at Christmas outside the Phoenix in 2003 and 2004.

•  In the spring of 2005, the League sponsored a one day seminar with daytime Emmy winner Rhonda Britten, star of the reality show Starting Over.

Ongoing Projects:

The Bermuda Junior Service League continues to make very positive contributions to our community with the following ongoing projects:

•  For 50 plus years, the League has been providing gift packages to the hospital patients who must spend Christmas Day in KEMH and The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

•  The League has produced two cookbooks: Bermudian Cookery in 1974 and Island Thyme in 2004. Both of these publications continue to fund community service projects supported by the League.

•  In 1994, the League's founder, Mrs. C. Vail Zuill introduced the idea of producing a set of Bermudian playing cards that could be used for bridge tournaments, etc. The League continues to sell these playing cards very successfully island wide, featuring original Bermudian artwork.

•  The League sells more than 50,000 Christmas cards each year. The cards feature original artwork donated by local artists each year, specifically designed for Christmas in Bermuda .

•  In 1990 the League sponsored the first debate tournament to be held on the island. The tournament was the brainchild of past member Victoria Cox who has since passed away. The annual Bermuda Junior Service League High School & Middle School Debate Tournament has been running ever since, with the top prize being the Victoria Cox Memorial Trophy.

•  The League holds an annual Coin Drive to raise funds for community service projects. The League places buckets island wide in grocery stores, retail outlets, banks, places of business and schools for a period of time, and people are encouraged to deposit their loose change for "Coins for a Cause".

•  The League established The Mrs. C. Vail-Zuill Scholarship in our founder's honour in 2003 . The annual scholarship is awarded to a student, who has demonstrated academic excellence, financial need and unique community mindedness, to assist in his or her pursuit of post-secondary education.

•  In 2003, the League introduced a program supplying all children entering the Government school system in Primary One with required school supplies. This program continues each year with the supplies being delivered in September, the first week of the new school year.

•  League members assist other charities, such as the LCCA, The Women's Resource Centre, The Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children, TB Cancer & Health Association, The Family Centre and the Bermuda Autism Society & Education, to raise money by volunteering for tag days.

•  The League has adopted the Shelly Bay playground. The playground was originally paid for in full by the League and today members clean up the park four times each year.

•  The League developed the Don't Leave Your Drink campaign designed to promote awareness in the community of the potential for unguarded drinks to be spiked with drugs. Posters were designed and are placed regularly in the public washrooms of bars and restaurants island wide.

The League receives requests annually from individuals and other charities and assists those in need of financing or items such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, physical therapy, etc.