As the holiday season approaches, a dedicated team of women is preparing for one of Lake Highlands’ most anticipated annual events—the 46th Holiday in the Highlands Home Tour, taking place on December 6, 2024. Hosted by the Lake Highlands Women’s League (LHWL), this beloved event showcases beautiful homes while raising critical funds for scholarships and community projects. But the Home Tour is just one of the many ways LHWL makes a difference in Lake Highlands year-round. The league, which consists of passionate women committed to serving their community, works throughout the year to organize fundraising events and volunteer opportunities that provide vital support to local schools, nonprofits, and graduating seniors. Meet some of the dedicated women leading this year’s efforts.

As Home Tour Co-chair alongside Stephani Walne, Jenny Littlefield plays an essential role in organizing one of the league’s biggest fundraising events of the year. Jenny and Stephani are responsible for selecting the homes on the tour, managing social media promotion, overseeing the fundraising committee, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day of the event. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s so fun,” Jenny says. “Giving out scholarships in May makes every long night worth it.” In addition to her involvement with LHWL, Jenny’s family is also engaged in community service, with her children participating in the National Charity League (NCL) and Young Men’s Service League (YMSL). Jenny spends about 10 hours a week volunteering and encourages neighbors to attend the Home Tour and donate to support the league’s efforts.

Stephani Walne, celebrating seven years in LHWL, brings a deep family connection to the organization. Her mother, mother-in-law, grandmother in law, and sister-in-law have all been actively involved in LHWL, and Stephani herself has served on the board for several years. This year, she is co-chairing the Home Tour with Jenny Littlefield, working hard to prepare for the December event. “Over the past year, we have had the honor of asking gracious homeowners to open their homes for the Home Tour. We spend about 10-15 hours a week organizing the tour, and as the date gets closer, that will increase,” Stephani explains. But the Home Tour is just one part of LHWL’s year-round commitment to community service. “We raise funds to support local students and nonprofits, and we’re always excited to welcome new members.” Stephani encourages neighbors to join the league or donate to the Home Tour to help continue the league’s mission of giving back.

Now in her seventh year with LHWL, Lauri Griffith serves as one of the league’s Fundraising Chairs for the 2024-2025 year. In this role, she partners with local businesses, LH families and league members, both current and past, to raise money for scholarships and community needs. “Previously serving on the Scholarship Committee helped me appreciate why we spend countless hours raising money,” Lauri says. Throughout the year, Lauri serves at volunteer events, from Feed Lake Highlands food collections to teacher luncheons. “I am a former former teacher in RISD so teacher luncheons hold a special place in my heart- loving on teachers is important,” she says. She devotes at least 6-8 hours a week to LHWL projects, always with the goal of supporting Lake Highlands students and nonprofits. Like many LHWL members, Lauri’s family is also involved in volunteering through various National Charity League opportunities.

In her third year with LHWL, Jamie Mask serves as the 2024 Fundraising Co-chair. Her role involves coordinating efforts to raise money for scholarships, local schools, and community projects through initiatives like the Home Tour. “We’re always working to raise funds that directly benefit our community,” Jamie shares, noting that her weekly volunteer work takes 6-8 hours on average. Beyond LHWL, Jamie and her son also volunteer together with the Young Men’s Service League, each completing 20 hours of service annually. She encourages neighbors to get involved with LHWL by visiting LHWL.org and filling out the necessary paperwork to join the league.

The women of the Lake Highlands Women’s League are committed to serving their community year-round, and their hard work is evident in the success of events like the Holiday in the Highlands Home Tour. By raising funds through these initiatives, LHWL provides scholarships, supports local schools, and addresses critical community needs. Be sure to attend the Home Tour on December 6, 2024, to experience the magic of the season while supporting a great cause. To learn more about joining the league or getting involved, visit LHWL.org.