In 1997, Jonathan s Landing resident, Mimi Walsh, presented the idea of an all-volunteer organization within Jonathan's Landing to facilitate volunteer activities within the local community. With the help of 10 founding Members: Lynn Nicholson, Mary Ann Taranto, George Vieth, Art Howard, Peggy Dillenbeck, Carole Power, Maureen Walsh, Jack Brick, Dick Smith and Reed Bohovich, JL CARES was born.

After completing their first year, more than 200 volunteers had donated almost 4,000 hours of service to more than 18 nonprofit agencies and schools. Some of the agencies utilizing volunteers were Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches. Friends of Jupiter Beach, Head Start, Hospice. Junior Achievement, Special Olympics and the South Florida Blood Bank.

JL Cares started Links-With-Kids, a program at JL that introduced golf to teens who normally would not get a chance to play the game. Many Members volunteered to mentor these teens on the range and golf course.

JL Cares went on to continually evaluate agencies, explore community needs and develop inhouse programs to help those less fortunate. There were Book Drives. Sandwich Brigades. Pro's for Clothes, Dr. Seuss reading programs, volunteers tutoring staff in English, Race for the Cure, Blood Drives, CPR days at the Club, and so many more. At one point, Jonathan's Landing had over 36 residents tutoring at the Jupiter Elementary School. As a result of those dedicated volunteers JL CARES was given recognition for contributing to the success of Jupiter Elementary rising from a level IV to a level I school.

Early on, JL Cares was supporting Rebuilding Together of the Palm Beaches and Forgotten Soldiers as we still do today. Consistent in-house programs have been the Volunteer Fair, Thanksgiving & Easter Baskets, and the Angel Tree Programs. With the advent of the JL Cares Jubilee and the generous support of the Jonathan's Landing Residents roughly 1.8 million dollars has been distributed in gifts and grants.

Approximately 42 board members have served over the past 25+ years. They have cherished and maintained the mission, worked diligently to provide volunteer opportunities and through their efforts kept JL Cares a vibrant nonprofit all volunteer organization. It is with great pride that we salute the hundreds of volunteers from Jonathan's Landing who have given their time and talent to help make a difference in the community and the lives of those less fortunate.

THANK YOU!