Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Albers.
Hi Beth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I joined the Junior League of Wichita in 2000, We had just moved to Kansas and I saw it as a way to meet people. I had no idea it would be such a fulfilling and enriching experience. Holiday Galleria is the Junior League of Wichita’s (JLW) premier annual shopping event fundraiser, bringing together more than 100 regional and national merchants for an upscale shopping experience while supporting meaningful community impact.
The JLW empowers women to become effective, high-impact leaders through training and development opportunities that build meaningful, transferable skills. More than 600 members use this leadership training to create lasting change throughout the Wichita community, serving on civic, charitable, and nonprofit boards and leading initiatives that positively impact individuals and families across the city. Over the past 20 years, Holiday Galleria has generated more than $2 million in net proceeds, helping the Junior League of Wichita fulfill its mission. With the funds raised from Holiday Galleria, we have positively impacted the following community partners:
*Share a Story. 35,000 books distributed, 63,000 volunteer reading hours, 71 classrooms served, 3,500 children/parents reached
* 85th anniversary of 19th amendment. Partnered with League of Women voters to celebrate anniversary with speaker Eleanor Clift.
*Reading Rocks: JLW collaborated with Wichita Public Schools and Wichita Public Libraries investing over $60,000 and impacting approximately 1,300 elementary students.
*Money Talks: JLW collaborated with Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas investing over $10,000 and teaching approximately 125 high school students financial literacy.
*JLW continues Reading Rocks, investing $65,200 and serving 1,750 elementary students.
*Centsable Girls: JLW partnered with Girl Scouts of the Golden Plains investing $6,000 and teaching 120 elementary school girls financial literacy.
*Building Libraries, Changing Minds: JLW worked with St. Anthony Family Shelter, Harbor House and Holy Savior Catholic Academy to provide libraries, computers and literacy programs for underserved populations. $82,367
*Eyes for Others: JLW partnered with Envision to help students make audio recordings of books for visually impaired and special needs children. $5,700
*Gourmet Guy: JLW worked with Judge Riddel Boys Ranch to build a teaching kitchen and help troubled teens learn supplemental life skills.
*Nature Explorers: JLW unveiled an outdoor classroom at Rainbows United, allowing children with special needs a hands-on *Campus Critters: JLW assisted the Kansas Humane Society in developing its Read to Rover program improving kids’ reading *Fun & Phonics- Partner with Fundamental Learning Center to develop early learning literacy training programming. 18 *Reading at the Ranch- Judge Riddel Boys Ranch- library and book club project.
*Smiles & Tiles Program at Child Advocacy Center- Paint, furniture and decorative tile project for welcoming environment at CAC entry.
*Nutrition and Exercise Programming for Downtown Daycare Center. Updated website and playground, provided workshops and collected donations for food pantry.
*Someone to Talk To- Puppet Show- educate school children on neglect, internet safety, and abuse.
*Child Abuse Community Awareness Project- develop website where community members can find local child abuse resources
*CLASS- Caring Ladies Assisting Students to Succeed-Urban League Learning Center- pairing volunteers with at-risk teenagers
*McKiney Vento Program- $7,500 Help provide USD 259 homeless students with services to help overcome obstacles and barriers to education. (Transportation, school supplies)
*Child Advocacy Center- $100,000
*Two Lives at a Time, Partnership with Wichita Children’s Home- $150,000- Mom Mobile (self care items), Scholarships, Special event celebrations: focus on fostering parent child bonding for pregnant or parenting youth
*Salary Negotiation Training- AAUW- Work Smart- $10,000 to offer free community trainings
*Simply Hygiene – helping distribute Hygiene products giving the power to elevate an individual’s physical, mental, and economic health.
*Exploration Place – built the Junior League of Wichita Water Play Cascades
This years Holiday Galleria, A Day of Shopping, A Year of Giving will be held on October 1–3, 2026 in Century II Expo Hall
225 W. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67202
Event Schedule
Thursday, October 1 Preview Party: “A Very Merry Soirée” 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday, October 2 General Admission 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, October 2 Girls Night Out: “Sleigh, Girl, Sleigh” 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 General Admission 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. including a visit with the Grinch, a reading and activity from local children’s author Anne Maxwell, and local dance and cheer groups.
Contact Information
Beth Albers
Holiday Galleria Chair
📞 (316) 249-3524
✉️ holidaygalleriajlw@gmail.com
General Information:
📞 (316) 682-7473
Website: www.jlwichita.org
Junior League of Wichita
Shop. Support. Give Back.
A Day of Shopping, A Year of Giving.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Bringing an event like this to Wichita was not without its challenges. In the beginning, there were many conversations about whether an event of this size and scope could succeed in our community. The first Holiday Galleria Chair, Sheila Tigert, played a pivotal role in making the vision a reality. She did a phenomenal job of championing the event within the League and demonstrating the tremendous impact it could have by generating funds that could be reinvested directly back into our community.
Like so many organizations and events, Holiday Galleria faced an unexpected setback when the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to shut down. The years since have been a steady climb as we worked to rebuild and regain momentum. Fortunately, Junior League women are resilient, determined, and not known for giving up easily. Thanks to their dedication and perseverance, Holiday Galleria continues to grow stronger each year. This year is shaping up to be one of our best yet, featuring many exciting new merchants from across the country and offering shoppers an experience unlike any before.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a league of volunteers, and every one of us balances our commitment to this organization with careers, families, and countless other responsibilities. The dedication these women have to our community is both inspiring and heartfelt. Our impact goes far beyond fundraising. We are actively involved throughout Wichita as volunteers, board members, advocates, and leaders, investing our time, talents, and energy to make our city a better, safer, and more positive place to live, work, and raise a family. It is this spirit of service and genuine care for our community that makes our league such a powerful force for good.
How do you think about happiness?
I find great joy in giving back and in helping others succeed. The current Holiday Galleria committee, like every committee that has come before it, is working tirelessly to make this year’s event our most successful yet. These women dedicate countless hours alongside their careers, families, and other commitments because they believe in the mission and the impact we can make together.
It is incredibly rewarding to watch this group of women come together as a team, combining their talents, creativity, and determination to create something truly special. Seeing them experience the excitement and pride that comes from organizing an event that gives so much back to our community brings me tremendous joy. Holiday Galleria is more than a shopping event—it is an opportunity to support local and national merchants, invest in community programs, and continue a tradition of service that makes Wichita a stronger and more vibrant place for everyone.
Pricing:
- General Admission $10.00
- Preview Party “A Very Merry Soiree” $50 incudes hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks, beer and wine
- Girls Night Out “Sleigh, Girl, Sleigh” $30 hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jlwichita.org
- Instagram: @jlwichita and @holidaygalleria
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLWichita
