For the 12th year, Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) is inviting children to shop for holiday gifts in Santa’s Gift House and enjoy the spirit of Ozark Mountain Christmas. This event is designed for children in Taney County schools in grades Pre-K -4th. On Saturday, December 11, 2021, the event will be held at the Branson United Methodist Church Family Life Center at 1208 West 76 Country Blvd in Branson from 9am – 12 noon.

Santa’s Gift House is a fun event for the children and adults. Children go “shopping” and select up to four items for 50 cents per item that they give as holiday gifts to their loved ones – parents, siblings, friends, teachers, and others. These high-quality gifts include fairy garden wands, ornaments, colorful paintings, etched glass, “best dad” gnomes, decorative items, toys, scarves, jewelry, doggie chew toys, among many others. The gifts have been handcrafted by members of JATC and their friends and families so that these children can have meaningful gifts to give to others. The JATC elves have handcrafted over 2000 gifts to choose from as they are accompanied by JATC members who serve as their personal shoppers. Parents are not allowed in the shopping area.

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 4000 volunteer hours as they strive to improve the mental, physical, social, and emotional well being of children in Taney County. JATC projects include Tender Critters for children in trauma; Santa’s Gift House; College Scholarships for a senior at all four Taney County public high school; ScholarCare that provides monthly support for a college student each year; Prom Dresses for girls in need; financial and labor support for the Crisis Center including birthday parties, and child watch for the children; School Supplies in January for the elementary schools; and Book Swap for those staying in extended-stay motels.

JATC is part of the Nationals Association of Junior Auxiliary (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 “Caring Hands-Helping Hearts-Changing Lives”.

More information on JATC can be found on the Junior Auxiliary website jatcmo.org, on our Facebook page: Junior Auxiliary of Taney County, or via email us at jatcmo@gmail.com