A Whale of a Makeover!

The Junior League of Jacksonville added a new community component to our 21st annual Whale of a Sale - with a Whale of a Makeover for one teen transitioning from foster care!

For over 20 years, the Junior League of Jacksonville’s Whale of a Sale fundraiser has brought the community gently used, quality merchandise at low prices while raising much-needed funds for JLJ’s community projects that benefit children and families in Jacksonville. This project has been a great opportunity for JLJ volunteers to add a positive community impact component to the event.

For the first time, JLJ members are using items, including furniture, decorative items and clothing, donated to the annual Whale of a Sale fundraiser to decorate the new apartment of Caneilua Barber, an 18-year-old woman transitioning out of the foster care system.

Carneilua, or CC as she prefers, came into foster care at age 16, following the death of her mother, and aged-out of care when she turned 18 in October 2011. She attends Drop Back In Academy. She plans to attend college to study criminal justice and aspires to be a judge. As a young adult transitioning out of foster care, CC is receiving services through the Independent Living program offered by Family Support Services of North Florida (FSS).



League members started at 7am on Sunday the 19th painting and decorating CC's apartment, getting it ready for the Big Reveal.

At 4:30 Sunday afternoon, the reveal came!

"I'm so excited! Its gorgeous!" said CC, "This is way past what I imagined and what I ever thought was going to be in here!"

"We are so excited to be a part of giving CC a room that reflects her personality, as she moves in to her first apartment," said Becky Patel, Junior League President. "She is a lovely girl and we're excited for her as she begins this new phase of her life."

Interested in seeing what Whale of a Sale can makeover in your house? Don't miss out - join us at the Preview Party, Friday, Feb. 24th! Tickets are on sale now.

More Makeover Pictures!





Special thanks to Corporate Suite Shoppes and Cort Furniture for their help in making over CC's apartment!

Check out the news coverage on the makeover: