Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) held its 21stth Annual Trivia Night on September 17 at the Chateau on the Lake. The Chateau was decorated for an Enchanted Evening with Jim Barber, host of the radio show “The Barber Shop” on 98.1 weekdays from 9 am – 1 pm serving as our emcee and Mike Cathcart who performs at Top of the Rock’s Buffalo Bar Restaurant serving as our Music Maestro. Mike’s background music and Jim’s repartee with the audience set the tone for a fun evening.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of a $3,000 donation to Junior Auxiliary of Taney County from Doug Baker (a Sustaining Member of JATC) and State Farm Insurance. Doug commented that Junior Auxiliary puts on a great event each year and that he would be happy to sponsor the event again next year. He further stated “Thanks to all the ladies who do so much to help the youth of Taney County. I’m very thankful to be in a position to help support a charity that aligns with my beliefs.”

JATC members pre-sold raffle tickets and continued their efforts at the event raising about $7200 from raffle sales. Lucky winners of the raffle prizes were: Marsha Koch ($500 cash); Robin Osbern ($400 Shopping Spree at Tanger Outlets Branson); Logan Young ($300 cash); and Mary Holmes ($700 Deluxe Camping Package). Raffle prizes were donated by Doug Baker Insurance, Binswanger Glass, and Tanger Outlets Branson. All who purchase raffle tickets were winners for their support of the children of Taney County.

Approximately 120 Silent Auction items were available for Trivia participants to bid on at the event. Showcase items were Arby’s Roast Beef sandwiches for a year, a “Live It Up” package which included a one-night stay at The Chateau on the Lake with breakfast, a Gift Box from St. James Winery, and dinner at the Black Oak Grill at the Landing; and a “Kitchen Starter Set” which included Tupperware Storage Bowls and Modular Containers, a Ninja Air Fryer, a Marble/Teak Serving Block, and a Deluxe Fondue Maker.

Other generous donors included: Target, The Track Family Fun Parks, ITEC, Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center, Ozark Shooters Complex, Red Lobster, The Mansion Theatre, SIX, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Rock Lane Resort and Marina, Rack Room Shoes, Pyramid Foods (Country Mart), Michele’s Floral & Gifts, Sight & Sound Theatre, Culver’s, College of the Ozarks, Kansas City Chiefs, Oscar’s Famous Ribs, Steak ‘n Shake, Pizza Ranch, Branson Regional Arts Council, Rhodes Family Price Chopper, Artist Mike Krone, Brashears, Warehouse Tire of Hollister, Binswanger Glass, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Silver Dollar City, Mulberry Mill, and numerous others. For a complete listing check our Trivia page on our website www.jatcmo.org.

Monetary sponsors included: Doug Baker Insurance, Lazy Valley Resort, Don Ingrum Law Office, Motley Law Firm, Mike and Sandy Combs, American Family Insurance, and Ozark Mountain Ear, Nose, & Throat. For a complete list check our Fundraising page on our website www.jatcmo.org.

Many individuals and businesses sponsored tables, including Doug Baker Insurance, Central Bank of Branson, First Community Bank of Branson, Morrissey Law Office, Trimble & Associates, Nature’s Wonders, Jessica Martin Law Firm, Mini-Circuits, Binswanger Glass, Edward Jones - Mac McGregor, Keller Williams, and more.

The main event for the evening was a lively trivia contest in which 19 eight-member teams competed to answer ten questions from a variety of eight categories such as: “Mug Shots of Famous People”, “Don’t Text While You Drive”, and “It’s A Real Zoo Out There!”. The Crispin Team, Keller Williams participant Shannon Cody stated “We had a blast, will definitely do it again next year.”

“Jessica Martin Law Firm” took first place and will have their team’s name engraved on the plaque that honors all winners for the last 21 years. “This Is Our Year” came in Second missing their goal of first by just one point. The “Yo-Yo’s” got third after a tie-breaker was used to determine the third-place winner. Better luck next year to Box of Rocks and Mischief Managers.

JATC’s 21st Annual Trivia Challenge was Co-Chaired by Paula Gillispie and Colleen Neill. Silent Auction Chair was Paula Gillispie. JA’s major fundraiser of the year earned approximately $20,000 through table sales, raffle ticket sales, silent auction, community donations, and sponsorships.

The profits from this event will be 100% reinvested in our community to fund projects that enhance the lives of children in Taney County. For more information about this event and JATC’s projects, please visit our website (www.jatcmo.org), our Facebook page (Junior Auxiliary of Taney County), or contact us via email at jatcmo@gmail.com.

JATC is more than a non-profit organization, it is a group of women united by a single cause and dedicated to helping the children of Taney County. That’s the magic of this special organization, 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 15,000 active, associate, and life members in nearly 100 chapters located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Their slogan is “Caring Hearts—Helping Hands—Changing Lives”.

Published by: Branson Globe, Thursday, October 13, 2022; Branson Tri-Lakes News, Saturday, October 22, 2022.