Mr. G’s Pizza in Branson held the 3rd Annual JATC Days on February 21 and 22, 2018. Mr. G’s owner, Ryan Holmes, continues to give back to his community on an annual basis with this fundraiser where he donates 50% of food receipts from those two days to JATC. Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) members, their family and friends gathered to partake of the delicious food, knowing that the children and families of Taney County would be the true beneficiaries. This year Ryan Holmes presented a check for $600 to JATC President, Sara Henderson.

Members of JATC currently provide support to the children of Taney County through numerous projects including Book Swap/Homework Helpers – Provide donated books and help children in extended-stay motels with their homework or an enrichment activity; Emergency Education Fund – Provide financial support for students at OTC facing an emergency situation that, if not addressed, may force them to drop out of school; Heart of Arts -- Supports arts activities for clients of the Developmental Connections Center; Hip Hop into Fitness – Designed to offer a Fitness Course Activity to students and offer instruction in healthy nutrition; Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow – Supply a computer and science lab tables and assist & support Mark Twain teachers in STEM activities on a quarterly basis; Prom Dress – Supply prom dresses and accessories for disadvantaged area high school girls identified by their counselors; Santa’s Gift House – Handcrafted gifts that children may purchase at a nominal cost for their loved ones in a holiday setting; ScholarCare – Award a renewable scholarship and provide support/encouragement to up to four Taney County students attending college; Scholarship Program – Award a scholarship to one student from each of the Taney County High Schools; School Supplies – Deliver supplemental supplies in January to Taney County Elementary schools; Tender Critters – New stuffed animals for children including ER, Cox Hospital, Police, Sheriff, Fire, Emergency Responders and any other organization providing comfort for children in a stressful situation; and

Women’s Crisis Center Support – Supplies for birthday parties and weekly activities for children to allow moms to attend counseling sessions.

More information about this organization and their projects 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 a Silent Auction, and a Live Auction. This year the 18th Annual Trivia Challenge and Silent Auction will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Branson on April 14, 2018. Also, JATC raises money from other events such as Belk’s Charity Days, Schwan’s Cares, and AmazonSmile, grants and individual donations. Generous local businesses also donate to JATC’s various events including Doug Baker State Farm Insurance, Ozark Mountain Ear Nose & Throat, Mr. G’s Pizza, Binswanger Glass, Chateau on the Lake, Big Cedar, State Park Marina, 417 Fundraising, Usborne Books, Central Bank, Branson Bank, First Community Bank, Bear Creek Farms, and Price Chopper.

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

Published by: Tri-Lakes Branson News, May 2, 2018