Everyone loves a party, but a Party with a Purpose is really something to celebrate.

The Junior League of the Lehigh Valley is hosting such an event with its fourth annual Party with a Purpose March 15 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the DaVinci Science Center, Allentown.

“Party with a Purpose is more than just a fundraiser, it’s a reflection of our mission in action,” JLLVPA President Michelle Resto-Carlson said.

“The JLLVPA is dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and making a meaningful impact in our community. This event serves as a public-facing opportunity to showcase our work in an engaging way, allowing attendees to see firsthand how we empower women, develop leaders and drive change,” Resto-Carlson said.

“The fact that it’s hosted at the DaVinci Science Center — an organization we helped bring to life — further reinforces our long-standing contributions to the Lehigh Valley.”

The semiformal event brings together community members for an inspiring evening featuring great food, philanthropy, and a lively silent auction. Proceeds will directly support the JLLVPA’s mission to advance women’s leadership and tackle critical community issues.

The evening will include a selection of appetizers and hors d’oeuvres, access to the My Body exhibit at the DaVinci Science Center, entry to the silent auction and premium cash bar.

For more than 80 years, the League has had a proud history of making a positive impact in the Lehigh Valley. At the heart of its work is action – whether through initiatives like the Backpack Giveback Project, awarding scholarships to young leaders, or distributing meals to families in need.

Resto-Carlson explained the event was created to bring funds and awareness to Junior League programming and helps re-establish awareness of JLLVPA’s deep roots in shaping the nonprofit landscape of the Lehigh Valley.

“Over the years, we’ve launched and supported countless initiatives and Party with a Purpose emerged as a way to remind the community of our continuous impact while creating a fun and engaging fundraising opportunity,” Resto-Carlson said.

“It replaced a previous fundraiser, with the silent auction element carrying over due to its popularity. The event also plays a key role in attracting new supporters and potential members, ensuring our mission can continue.”

The goal is to generate a $15,000 profit from the event and the concurrent Impact Fund campaign, which runs during the first three week of March. This campaign is a member-driven initiative where League members fundraise through personal outreach to local businesses, potential sponsors, and their individual networks.

The funds raised directly support JLLVPA’s community projects, including Backpack Giveback, providing essential school supplies to students in need; Summer Slide Bags, ensuring children have access to books and learning materials; and Thanksgiving Meals, supporting food security for families in the community.

As a 100 percent volunteer-run organization, every dollar raised goes directly into these programs, and every event, initiative and campaign is executed by JLLVPA members, who serve on committees that develop their leadership skills while actively making a difference.

Resto-Carlson said JLLVPA “played a foundational role in the creation of what is now the Da Vinci Science Center by providing critical financial support and volunteer engagement that helped establish its early success.”

In the 1990s, JLLVPA partnered with Lehigh University, the Bethlehem Junior Women’s Club and an anonymous benefactor to help bring the JASON Project to the region, an interactive science initiative founded by oceanographer Dr. Bob Ballard. This effort led to the establishment of the SMART Center in 1992, which provided hands-on science education for students and professional development for teachers.

As the SMART Center evolved into the SMART Discovery Center in 1995 and later the Discovery Center of Science and Technology in 1997, JLLVPA continued to support its growth through fundraising efforts such as Bats! and Dinosaurs Alive! These initiatives helped fund the Discovery Center’s expansion and educational programming.

In 2003, the Discovery Center merged with Leonardo DaVinci’s Horse, Inc., officially becoming the Da Vinci Science Center. “JLLVPA’s early financial support and advocacy helped lay the foundation for what is now a leading science education institution in the Lehigh Valley,” Resto-Carlson said.

“Party with a Purpose, held at Da Vinci, is a full-circle moment, celebrating our legacy of investment in science education while ensuring that our mission of leadership and community impact continues,” Resto-Carlson said.

“Party with a Purpose is more than just raising funds, it’s about reinforcing JLLVPA’s role as a player in improving the Lehigh Valley by bringing people together to celebrate our shared mission, and creating a sustainable future for our community programs,” Resto-Carlson said.

“With the collective efforts of our dedicated volunteers, engaged supporters and generous sponsors, we’re working to ensure that the Junior League’s legacy of leadership and service continues to thrive.”

Donating to JLLVPA enables the organization to maximize its impact in the community and invest in women’s leadership and development, further strengthening its legacy of leadership and service to the Lehigh Valley community. Opportunities for individual giving and corporate sponsorships are available. For more information visit lehighvalley.jl.org/support-us/.

The JLLVPA is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. With a proud history of making a positive impact, the JLLVPA works with community partners throughout the Lehigh Valley to address and solve pressing issues like educational disparity, food insecurity and literacy.

Through strategic partnerships and signature programs such as the Backpack Givepack Project, scholarship programs and fundraising initiatives, members are leaders that make a difference in the community while promoting personal growth and building friendships.

For more information visit jllvpa.org.