“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
-Dr. Seuss
Fund development is a critical aspect of any nonprofit organization, and special events provide the means for volunteers to learn event planning and logistics and for the public to support a nonprofit’s mission. As the Ways & Means Council Director for the Junior League of New Orleans Board of Directors, Christine Vinson coordinates, develops and maintains JLNO’s fundraising activities including Freret 5K, Touch a Truck and the newly formed Girls Night Out BINGO. She also informs the membership about these events and motivates them to participate and engage in grass-roots efforts to increase attendance. Through management, organization and team-building, she helps volunteers harness their development skills to generate funds for JLNO’s community projects. She reports to the Board on fundraising effectiveness and recommends policy and procedure changes that can further improve these events now and into the future.
Christine has spent her six years in JLNO volunteering with the organization’s premier and newest fundraising endeavors. She has served on the Kitchen Tour, Bloomin’ Deals, Bridal Boutique and Touch a Truck committees. Her favorite JLNO Placement was as the Bridal Boutique Chair. She enjoyed working with the staff and seeing all the treasures people could find in the store. She oversaw the committee that opened the Bridal Boutique, and seeing it come to life was an amazing experience for her. When a bride-to-be left with a dress for her “big day,” she felt as though she contributed to something special in someone’s life.
As a security officer licensed by the state of Louisiana and President, Christine manages the operations of Vinson Guard Service, Inc. one of the largest privately owned security companies in the United States. Her grandfather founded the company in 1963, and she started her career at its Baton Rouge office. She moved back to New Orleans offices in 2001 and began working alongside her father. She believes that a business’s success comes by providing employee benefits and training that ensures they are dedicated to providing exceptional service. Understanding that crime is a significant challenge for metropolitan New Orleans, Christine also volunteers her time as board member for Crimestoppers.
This graduate of LSU and resident of Old Metairie is most inspired by her father, Joseph D. Vinson, Jr. Christine strives to live as he did, always working hard for others and live with no regrets.
