Giving Our Support

The Orange Mound Progressive Club was organized by the late Mrs. Lula Brantley and the late Mrs. Minnie Jones. Thirty prominent and dedicated Christian ladies began their journey to work in the community. The objectives were:

1. to stimulate interest in the community by giving assistance to help needy families and charitable organizations,
2. to generate an atmosphere of cohesiveness among club members,
3. to create wholesome and economical recreational activities.

For many of these early years, the club members were involved in a counseling program for young girls and unwed mothers. Also, the club sent a ton of coal monthly during the winter and clothing in the summer to the "Old Folks Home" (home for ill elderly).

The Orange Mound Progressive Club helped to sponsor the Orange Mound Nursery (also known as the Nat Buring Orange Mound Learning Center), which began its existence at Melrose School. Later it moved to Mt. Moriah Baptist Church (Carnes) until the new building was constructed at Grand and Saratoga. The club continued to help the nursery with donations and volunteer service from its members.

Christmas provided another time to try to spread joy; money and clothing were sent to the most needed in the community. Contributions were also made to the Red Cross and Heart Fund Drive.

Although all of the charter members are deceased, the club has maintained its membership by taking in descendants of members and friends throughout the city who are interested in the club's objectives. The club presently has 22 members, several of whom are second and third-generation members. The objective remains the same: to continue the legacy of our predecessors in rendering service to the community. Some of the projects have included donations and/or assistance to the following:

• Porter Leath Children's Center
• Nat Buring Orange Mound Learning Center
• MIFA (Mid-South) food bank and toy drive
• LeBonheur Hospital
• LeMoyne Owen College
• Neighborhood Schools - Melrose, Hanley and Dunbar
• St. Mary's Cathedral (SMART program)
• Orange Mound Care Home
• Orange Mound Collaborative
• Sickle Cell Foundation
• St. Jude Children's Hospital
• Red Zone Ministries
• Salvation Army
• Memphis Made
• Gunz Down Organization
• Trays 4 Days
• The Hospitality Hub
• Orange Mound Neighborhood and Veterans Association
• Fire disaster families
• Purchase of school uniforms and headsets
• Assisting with utility bills and rent

~ Orange Mound Progressive Club ~ 

Uplifting the community since 1919