Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) Life Members and JATC Active Member Shanna Tilley presented scholarship awards at Branson and Forsyth High Schools on Monday, May 13, 2024. Nine (9) Taney County students are heading off to college with a little help from Junior Auxiliary of Taney County.

Four seniors received $1000.00 scholarships based mainly on their outstanding service to their community: Charli Gillan (Branson), Nickolas Guy (Forsyth), Kalea Snow (Branson), and Kaylee Umbright (Branson). Shanna Tilley, JATC member, presented the Forsyth award, and JATC Life Members Madeline Allin and Mary Jo Green presented the Branson awards.

Two (2) other students were able to renew their awards for JATC’s ScholarCare program: Kylie Calhoun, Forsyth (4th year recipient) and Gemma Reding, Forsyth (2nd year recipient). In addition, two (2) new ScholarCare students were added: Kierra Greco, Branson (1st year recipient) and Rajan Raghani, Branson (1st year recipient). Each will receive a $1000.00 scholarship for this year, as well as regular treats and encouragement throughout the school year from JATC members. ScholarCare students have their scholarships (and support) renewed for up to four years as long as they continue in school and maintain an acceptable grade point average.

Anna Zerbe (Branson) received the $1,000 Joan Anderson Memorial Scholarship for a student majoring in Accounting, Business, or IT. This scholarship is partially funded by the family of Joan Anderson who was a Life member of JATC.

These scholarships are just one of the many projects funded and carried out by JATC members. Periodically, JATC assesses the community’s needs and establishes service projects to address those needs. Many projects have been sustained for years, such as these scholarships, stuffed animals (we call them Tender Critters) for children in the local hospital and at the Taney County Health Department, mid-year replenishment of school supplies and hygiene products for Taney County elementary schools, Santa’s Gift House where children may shop with a JATC elf for up to 4 items made by JATC members for a nominal cost

One of our newer projects is Kindness Effect Cards Project where JA members, their neighbors, children or grandchildren, various school classes, etc. write cards of encouragement to residents of assisted living facilities or nursing homes. One of our revamped programs is Celebrate Reading whose major goal is to get books into the hands of children, but along with that we have an event each year. This year that event is “Reading Around the Campfire” which will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Tri-Lakes Newspaper Community Room. Children in Grades K-6 are invited to attend. Pre-registration is not required, and there is no fee.

The Taney County Chapter of Junior Auxiliaries, JATC, was established by a group of caring, enthusiastic women in 1997 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.

More information on JATC can be found on their Facebook page, Junior Auxiliary of Taney County, website www.jatcmo.org or via email at jatcmo@gmail.com. Their slogan is “Caring Hearts, Helping Hands, Changing Lives”.