In the 1910's the war scene was upon us with the beginning of World War I, and many Leagues, including ours, focused their efforts in ways to support the war effort. Locally, we, as a League, helped further the establishment of the Red Cross in 1914-1918.

In the  1920's, many more cities began joining the fold, with 81 new Leagues from Maine to Hawaii, and more complex issues were presented to the diverse body, which had become known as the Association of Junior Leagues of America. In the 1920's, we helped organize Girl Scouting into the Essex County area, and in 1927 helped choreograph the establishment of Children's Theatre, the first time this was offered in the state of New Jersey.

Occupational Therapy was introduced into local hospitals by JLOSH and involved hands-on volunteering in that capacity from 1921 all the way through the 1930's to 1939.

New Eyes for the Needy, founded in 1932 by Mrs. Arthur Terry, was the project taken over by the Junior Service League of Short Hills (our name until we joined with the Junior League of the Oranges). This internationally known charity was handed over to the community in 1958, but still has among its board members and volunteers many sustainers from JLOSH.

In the  1930's, during the Depression Era, Leagues organized community volunteer bureaus as the need for social services grew. Our League answered the challenge locally in 1935 by organizing the Resource File for the Bureau of Associated Charities, which developed into the Family and Children's Service of the Oranges. 

ACT II, an enduring symbol for JLOSH over the years, was established in 1932 as a thrift shop. Its purpose was to provide clothing and house wares at an affordable price. ACT II occupied the bottom floor of JLOSH headquarters on Main Street in Millburn until the mid-1990's. During the 60 plus years of operation, ACT II was both a significant fundraising mechanism for the League as well as a service for the community.

In the  1940's, war was upon us yet again, with World War II. Leagues around the country organized offices worldwide to recruit and train volunteers in defense jobs and in peacetime agencies. We in Short Hills and the Oranges spent our time developing the Central Volunteer Bureau with the Social Welfare Council. Also, the Toy Bureau was set up in 1943-1944 as a teenage canteen and as a demonstration project to interest our communities in this field.

The Child Guidance Clinic of the Oranges was a major project of ours during the latter part of the 1940's. Beginning in 1947, the League opened its interest in the field of mental health by aiding the Social Welfare Council in establishing this clinic. Continued support of the clinic over the years meant a financial commitment from the League totaling $17,250 through 1954.