Delicious food, fun and generosity were the order of the day at Mr. G’s Pizza in Branson last month. At the monthly member social, approximately 35 Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) members, their family and friends were invited to partake of the delicious food, knowing that the children and families of Taney County would be the true beneficiaries. Mr. G’s owner Ryan Holmes declared February 17 & 18 Junior Auxiliary of Taney County Days and donated 50% of food receipts from those two days to JATC. Adding to the family generosity, Mitch Holmes with Edward Jones matched the donation for a total of $800.

Members of JATC currently provide support to the children of Taney County through eleven projects including School Supplies in January; Tender Critters; Santa’s Gift House; College Readiness programs and scholarships; prom dresses for girls in need; support for the Women’s Crisis Center, in which they provide home improvement and monetary support for one of the cottages; Heart of Arts, in which members donate art & craft materials for adults with disabilities at Developmental Connections; and Book Swap Stop/Homework Helpers, in which they provide snacks, enrichment programs, reading and homework help for children who live in extended-stay motels.

More information can be found on the Junior Auxiliary website JATCMO.ORG, their Facebook page, Junior Auxiliary of Taney County or via email at jatcmo@gmail.com.

Members raise money for these projects through one major event - a fun Trivia Challenge with dinner, live entertainment, a raffle and a Silent Auction. This year the 16th Annual Trivia Challenge and Silent Auction will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Branson on April 2, 2016. Also, JATC raises money from other events such as Belk’s Charity Days, Schwan’s Cares and the Branson Women’s Expo. Generous local businesses also donate money to JATC’s various events including Doug Baker State Farm Insurance, Ozark Mountain Ear Nose & Throat, Combs Hotel Properties, Mr. G’s Pizza, Mitch Holmes/Edward D. Jones Financial Advisor, Central Bank of Branson, D.S. & F. Plumbing, White River Valley Electric, Thousand Hills Realty, Lowe’s and Pinegar Chevrolet.

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 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 98 chapters located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Their slogan is “Care Today-Character Tomorrow”.

Published: Branson Daily Independent, April 3, 2016