Junior Auxiliary arranged to have 300 pumpkins for kids to decorate at the Hollister Grape and Fall Festival on Saturday, October 12. In addition to the 300 pumpkins, lots of decorations, markers, and stickers were provided. Several JATC members with cheerful spirits and helping hands were available to assist the kids who visited our booth.

The ladies assisted 297 children and 3 senior citizens who visited the JATC booth in decorating pumpkins from 10 am to 4 pm. There was no cost for the children (and sometimes, the parents) to decorate the pumpkins. The kids were thrilled when they found out that they got to take the pumpkins home with them and even more thrilled when they were given treat bags to start the Halloween season off early. All the treat bags contained information about the Santa’s Gift House which will be held on December 14 at the Branson United Methodist Church. Watch our Facebook Page for more information on this event.

JATC is more than a nonprofit organization, it’s a group of women united by a single cause and dedicated to helping the children of Taney County. That’s the magic of JATC. It was chartered by a group of caring, enthusiastic women in 1998 and continues to grow and thrive throughout Taney County. Approximately 50 members annually contribute more than 4,000 volunteer hours as they strive to improve the mental, physical, social and emotional well-being of children in Taney County.

JATC projects include: Book Swap where JA members exchange books once a month at three different extended stay motels to give children a chance to improve their reading skills; Tender Critters for children in trauma; Santa’s Gift House; College Scholarships for a senior at all four Taney County public high schools; Scholar Care provides financial and monthly support for a college student each year; Prom Dresses for girls in need; financial and labor support for the Crisis Center of Taney County including birthday parties and kid therapy so that moms may attend counseling sessions; and School Supplies “refreshment” in January for elementary schools in Eastern Taney County.

Members raise money for these projects through one major event - a fun Trivia Challenge with dinner, live entertainment, a raffle and a Silent Auction held in the spring each year. Our 20th Annual Trivia Challenge and Silent Auction will be held at the Chateau on the Lake on April 4, 2020.

JATC is sponsoring a second JATC Market Day this year on Saturday, November 9, from 9 am to 2 pm at the Branson United Methodist Church. You will find crafts, yard sale items, art, and vendors of small businesses at this event. There is no charge to attend. For more information contact Shanna at jatcmarketday@gmail.com

JATC also raises money from other events such as Belk’s Charity Days, AmazonSmile, Mr. G’s Annual JATC Days, grants and individual donations. Generous local businesses and individuals also donate to JATC’s various events including Doug Baker State Farm Insurance, Ozark Mountain Ear Nose & Throat, Binswanger Glass, State Park Marina, Central Bank of Branson, Edward Jones-Mitch Holmes, First Community Bank of Branson, Branson Bank, Lowe’s, Sir Speedy Printing, Edward Jones-Mitch Holmes, Ollis/Akers/& Arney, The Farmhouse Restaurant, Edward Jones-Mac McGregor, and many more.

JATC is part of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA), a non-profit organization founded in 1941 with headquarters in Greenville, Mississippi. NAJA has more than 15,500 active, associate and life members in 96 chapters located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Their slogan is “Care Today-Character Tomorrow”.

Published by: Branson Tri-Lakes News, October 30, 2019; Branson Globe, October 27

Junior Auxiliary of Taney County