Junior Auxiliary of Taney County’s Current Projects
The primary function of JATC is to provide service to the community focused on the needs of children and families. Using information from the community, JATC members assess local needs and develop service projects designed to match members’ interests and skills with identified needs.
“cELEBRATE READING”
JATC Members and Parents reading books with children at some of our locations.
The CELEBRATE READING Project’s Primary Goal is to get a variety of books into the hands of young children and to get parents more involved in their child’s reading adventure. Junior Auxiliary members distribute collections of books monthly for children to read at different locations in Taney County. One of our goals is to continue “Story Time” which is where a JATC member, a community volunteer, a parent or a grandparent reads aloud to children at the Penleigh. We’ve also added an Activity to go with the Story Time, and the children are allowed to pick out a book of their own to take home with them. We hope to add a second location soon.
“CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE”
JATC provided gifts to 104 children, ages 3 months to 6 years. All children attend OACAC’s Head Start, Early Head Start, or Home-Based programs. It was a Merry Christmas, 2025 when each child received a gift bag containing a hooded coat, an outfit, a pair of gloves, a book, and a toy. Sponsors for Christmas Assistance for 2025 were Ozark Family Vision Centre and a grant from Neighbors and Friends of Table Rock Lake.
Faith Magana and her mom Maria Magana were all smiles when they received their special Christmas gift bag.
“ELEVATE KIDS”
This project is in partnership with Branson Schools. The school district provides one teacher for every 10 kids. The After School program meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 and provides a snack and three 30 minute rotations—game room, sensory room, and art. The program focuses on homework completion, group play, sensory needs, art, using kind words and keeping hands and feet to self. Our JA volunteers assist a teacher or another volunteer in one of the rooms. Extra hands are always needed.
The Summer Program provides breakfast and lunch for the kids who will rotate six- 30 minute sessions. Rotations will include: Gym, Phonics, Art, Science/Writing, Daily Living/Math, and Sensory Room. This program is held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the summer from 8:45 am- 12:45 pm. JA volunteers will assist teachers and other volunteers with a subject of interest.
“HALLOWEEN GRAPE STOMP”
JATC provided a “fun” Halloween course where kids could play Pumpkin Mini Golf, at the Grape Stomp Festival in Hollister, MO. Kids also enjoyed having their picture taken inside the truck and pumpkin.
JATC members Robin Osbern, Kristi Gabel, and Debbie Lee were “working” at the booth.
“JOAN ANDERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP”
Dhruv Patel, 2026 Graduate of Branson High School
Dhruv plans on majoring in Computer Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
“All About Joan!”
Paddle Party Vendor Santa’s Gift House Ducky Drift Installation as President
Joan Anderson, Life Member of Junior Auxiliary of Taney County, passed away on May 12, 2022 after a brief illness. Joan was passionate about JA and enjoyed being part of a group of women dedicated to helping the children of Taney County. Joan was an active volunteer for JATC and contributed many hours of volunteer work to the organization. Among other things, Joan held the offices of Treasurer, Vice President, and President for the organization. Joan held various jobs in financial services, IT, and hospitality. When she left the corporate arena, she became a successful independent fundraising dealer with Butter Braid Products and also worked part-time in the Sales Audit Department at Silver Dollar City. The family asked for donations to be made to Junior Auxiliary of Taney County, and JATC has chosen to dedicate that money to a $500 Joan Anderson Memorial Scholarship which is being matched by the family of Joan Anderson for a total of $1000. The 2026-2027 school year is the fourth year for this scholarship, and it will be dedicated to students who plan on pursuing a career in Business, IT, or Accounting.
“SCHOLARCARE”
This project is designed to provide support and encouragement to a student who may be experiencing his/her first time away from home. Selection of a student is based on the applicants' essays demonstrating their need for continuing support from JATC and depending on the availability of funding. In addition to a $1,000 scholarship, renewable annually based on satisfactory college achievement, JATC members send notes, small gifts, and emails throughout the school year. We currently have five (5) ScholarCare recipients. Pictured L to R are Gemma Reding, Forsyth (Year 4), Kierra Greco, Branson (Year 3), and Rajan Raghani, Branson (Year 3), and Sylvie Barbour, Branson (Year 2) have been approved to renew their awards for the 2026-2027 school year, and Lynna Wolfe, Branson (Year 1).
“SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TANEY COUNTY”
This project provides a $1,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from one of the four county high schools (Branson, Bradleyville, Forsyth, and Hollister). Scholarships are awarded on the availability of funding and on the basis of demonstrated initiative and commitment to community volunteer activities. Congratulations to the recipients of our 2026-2027 scholarships. Pictured L to R: Makenzie Hudson (Branson), Hudson Russell (Forsyth), and Molly Ann McAfee (Hollister)
“SCHOOL SUPPLIES rEPLENISHMENT”
JATC Members Cammy Harrison, Sheila Martin, Susan Thibeault-Linton, and Kelly Anstaett delivered school supplies and Walmart gift cards for teachers to Kirbyville, Hollister, Taneyville, Bradleyville, and Mark Twain.
School Supplies --This project provided supplemental school supplies and sanitizing supplies to elementary schools in January, 2026 for distribution to students on an as-needed basis. This year supplies were delivered to Bradleyville, Hollister, Kirbyville, Mark Twain, and Taneyville. 55 Teachers at these schools also received $50 gift cards to purchase supplies for their individual classrooms. Teachers purchased supplemental items for class supplies, prizes for student rewards, math manipulatives, items for Valentine’s parties, items to celebrate 100th Day of school, volleyballs, class snacks, etc.
“TENDER CRITTERS”
PHOTO 1: Lauren Treme’s daughter broke her arm while visiting Branson and received a JATC Tender Critter (an elephant) from Cox Hospital to comfort her while she was in so much pain.; PHOTO 2: Father Jim of St. Joseph’s Anglican Church with a group of children and the Tender Critters they collected.; PHOTO 3: JATC Member Shanna Tilley donated a bag of Tender Critters from JATC to Sherriff Rod Daniels for use in his department,; PHOTO 4: Taney County Health Department allows children to choose from this wagon full of critters from JATC when receiving shots or having other medical procedures; PHOTO 5: JATC Member Susan Thibeault-Linton delivers a bag of critters to Cheryl Adair at CASA and Suitcases for New Beginnings
The Tender Critters Project provides new stuffed animals for children who are brought to the emergency room and/or admitted to Cox Hospital in Branson. At times this project will provide stuffed animals to Police, Sheriff, Fire, Emergency Responders, and/or any other organization in Taney County that needs to provide comfort for kids in a stressful situation. This wagon full of critters is located at the Taney County Health Department where children receiving vaccinations can choose one to hold and then keep after the experience of receiving a shot.
Special thanks to Branson Veterans of America (913) for their donation of critters to support this project and to Community Foundation of the Ozark for a grant to help purchase these Critters.
“KINDNESS EFFECT CARDS”
This project was born in 2020 in an effort to comfort the loneliness and isolation caused by a global pandemic. JATC members delivered cards full of creative, tender, humorous, and heartfelt messages to Taney County, MO Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities that were written by children and adults of the community. Since 2020, this project has grown to include 4 yearly deliveries of over 1,500 cards to 6 Assisted Living/Nursing Facilities in Taney County, MO. The project’s goal has transformed into a message of kindness and empathy—teaching children and adults alike that a simple act of kindness—5 minutes out of your day to write a nice note to a stranger—can change the world. If you would like to help by donating or writing cards at any time during the year, please contact us for more information at jatcmo@gmail.com.
Many JATC projects have been sustained over time. These include:
Annual scholarships
ScholarCare
Tender Critters
School Supplies
Replenishment in January/February
Newer projects include
Celebrate Reading
Christmas Assistance
Elevate Kids
Halloween Grape Stomp
Joan Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Kindness Effect Cards