Junior Auxiliary of Taney County will be holding their Community Tender Critter Drive during the month of February, 2020. Tender Critters are new 18" or smaller stuffed animals that JATC collects or buys and donates weekly to the Branson Cox ER room to help comfort children who are in trauma. Holding a soft cuddly stuffed animal helps kids think of something other than what’s going on around them. Last year JATC donated over 2000 stuffed animals to the Cox Branson ER, as well as the Branson and Hollister Police Departments, and we expect the number to increase again this year. We need help from our Community to supply all the Critters.

This year many businesses and churches are once again helping with the Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) Tender Critter Drive held each February to replenish the supply of stuffed animals that will be delivered weekly to the Emergency Department at Cox Medical Center-Branson. The staff then gives them to children who visit the ER or need to stay in the hospital.

We are asking members of our community to donate a stuffed animal or two during the month of February. Last year our community donated almost 600 “Critters”. When children face the confusing and often scary experience of a hospital emergency room visit or a hospital stay, a cuddly stuffed animal can be the difference between anxiety and reassurance. You can brighten a child’s day by donating one of these “Critters”.

The following businesses and churches have offered to act as drop off locations this year: Binswanger Glass (Downtown Business 65), Branson Bank (Hwy 165), Branson United Methodist Church (Hwy 76), Central Bank of Branson (Downtown), CoxHealth Fitness Center (located at the Rec Plex at Branson Hills Parkway), Kimberling City Church of Christ, St. Joseph's Anglican Church (T Hwy), Victory Chiropractic (Victorian Village on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway), Hogan Land Title, and Legends in Concert Branson (Hwy 76).

Legends in Concert is also holding their area appreciation for residents of several surrounding counties, including Stone and Taney, the entire month of February. Tickets will be $10 plus tax, and any guest who brings a new stuffed animal (18” or smaller) for JATC’s Tender Critter Drive will get a free upgrade to preferred seating (first 5 rows). Legends will also accept donations at their box office for the whole month of February. Reservations for area appreciation can be made by calling 339-3003.

The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 913 in Branson and Chapter 1119 in Kimberling City are once again joining in the Tender Critter drive by encouraging their members to collect Critters during the year. Special thanks to First Community Bank (Hwy 248) for their monetary donation to buy Critters.

“Tender Critters” is one of the longest running projects for JATC, with members donating new stuffed animals at each of their monthly meetings. This collection is a year-round effort and JATC invites members of the community to join us in brightening a child’s day by donating a “tender critter” at any time. Just send a message to jatcmo@gmail.com, and a JATC member will contact you about picking up your donation.

Tender Critters is one of many service projects that JATC members provide to the community. Other JATC projects include School Supplies refreshment in January; Prom Dresses for girls in need; financial and labor support for the Women’s Crisis Center including birthday parties and child care for the children so moms can attend counseling sessions; Santa’s Gift House; Book Swap for children who live in extended-stay motels; and Scholarships for each of the four high schools in Taney County. If you would like to learn more about our organization, please visit us at jatcmo.org.

Members raise money for this and other projects through one major event - a fun Trivia Challenge with dinner, and a Silent Auction. This year the 20th Annual Trivia Challenge and Silent Auction will be held at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson on April 4, 2020. Come join us at “JATC Trivia Goes Platinum, Celebrating 20 Years of Trivia”. We hope you will save the date and come help us support the children of Taney County.

JATC raises money from other events such as Belk’s Charity Days, Mr. G’s Pizza Annual JATC Days, and JATC Market Days, as well as donations from corporate charitable giving (e.g., Amazon Smile, Microsoft, Walmart, and White River Electric), generous local businesses and churches (e.g., Branson’s Cowboy Church located at God & Country Theatre, Doug Baker State Farm Insurance, Ozark Mountain Ear Nose & Throat, 417 Fundraising, Branson Bank, Central Bank, Ollis, Akers & Arney Insurance, Edward Jones-Mitch and Jennifer Holmes, Edward Jones-Mac McGregor, and Lowe’s.)

Donations for this project and others that JATC provide to the community can be sent to JATC, PO Box 862, Hollister, MO 65673. 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.

JATC is more than a nonprofit organization, it’s a group of women united by a single cause. We are dedicated to helping and making a difference in the lives of 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, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Their slogan is “Care Today-Character Tomorrow”.