PEO Chapter JT, President Janet Grundt, left, welcomes newest member Anna Balentine.

The local chapter of Philanthropic Education Organization held an outdoor meeting on the front lawn at the home of Nancy Neufeld. The members gathered to welcome Anna Balentine to the sisterhood.

Balentine will be given a formal initiation at a later date.

Distancing and masks did not deter the group from getting together for the first time in several months. The organization recently had its first official meeting at the home of Donna Ward. The group hopes to continue to meet on a regular basis following the guidelines and restrictions mandated by the state with the possibility of including Zoom meetings as well.

The JT chapter will also be participating in the Kern Reciprocity Drive-by-Fundraiser in November in Bakersfield.

The organization will be selling PEO favorites such as wreathes, bean soup, T-shirts, gift baskets and more. The proceeds will go to each chapter to help fund philanthropic projects.