Junior Auxiliary ladies provided a Christmas shopping experience for approximately 285 students at 3 different locations for Santa's Gift House this year, our eleventh in a row. The different locations were at Branson United Methodist Church, Bradleyville Elementary School, and Mark Twain Elementary School.

There were lots of changes this year as we tried to eliminate COVID exposure as much as possible. Santa canceled on us, and we canceled the refreshment and craft tables, but we did have an abundance of gifts for the children to choose from. Each child was allowed to choose 4 gifts, mostly handmade by JA ladies or their friends. Normally, gifts are 50 cents each. This year there was no charge for gifts in order to help eliminate COVID Exposure. We did, however, accept donations to help buy wrapping material and supplies for making gifts in 2021.

We weren’t certain that we should hold this event with the COVID Pandemic, but the smiling faces of the children and the chorus of “thank you” from parents and grandparents definitely made it worthwhile. One grandmother told us that this event always begins the Christmas season for her grandchildren and another mom said that her daughter woke her up at 6 am to make sure she got there. She was the first shopper in line.

JATC would like to offer a special thank you to Tanger Outlet Mall for supplying us with shopping bags, Branson United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their Family Life Center as our primary location, Culver's for helping us with one of our gifts, Liberty Exposition Services for help with the pipe and drape we needed to separate the areas, and Bradleyville High School and older students at Mark Twain Elementary who served as elves to help the younger kids at their schools go shopping.

JATC members were so happy that we were able to hold this event for the kids in spite of COVID! Each child received a special treat for themselves and a jolly “Merry Christmas” as they left. Most replied “We’ll see you again next year.”

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.

More information on JATC 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.

Currently, JATC members finance and operate eleven projects including Santa’s Gift House, creating hand-crafted gift items for children to choose and experience the joy of giving; College Scholarships for a senior at all four Taney County public high schools and ScholarCare, a renewable 4-year scholarship; Prom Dresses for girls in need; Tender Critters stuffed animals to be distributed to children in local hospitals; Empowering the Little Dreamers at The Crisis Center, including respite care and birthday parties and building a playground for resident children; School Supplies in September and supplies “refreshment” and Teacher Gift Cards in January for Kirbyville, Bradleyville, Mark Twain, and Taneyville elementary schools; Christmas Assistance Program through Branson Schools; Book Swap, providing a revolving supply of books for children who live in extended-stay motels; Halloween Grape Stomp at Hollister’s Fall Festival where JA provides a booth geared strictly to children’s activities; and Kindness Effect Cards where JA members and children young and old write cards to seniors living at nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout Taney County.

Our major fundraiser is a Trivia/Silent Auction event usually held in the Spring each year, but due to the Pandemic it was canceled and will be held May 8, 2021 at the Chateau on the Lake. This will be our 20th Annual Trivia.

Generous local businesses and individuals also donate to JATC’s various events including Doug Baker State Farm Insurance, Binswanger Glass, Ozark Mountain Ear Nose & Throat, Chateau on the Lake, Central Bank of Branson, First Community Bank of Branson, Branson Bank, Lowe’s, Mr. G’s Chicago Pizza & Pub, Sir Speedy Printing, Edward Jones-Mitch Holmes, Edward Jones-Mac McGregror, Dale Sanders American Family Insurance, Culvers, and many more.

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.

Published by: Branson Tri-Lakes News, Saturday, December 26, 2020; Gobe, Wednesday, December 30, 2020