JATC Elves have been working hard to make gifts for the 13th consecutive Santa’s Gift House. The Elves invite children in grades Pre-K -4th grades in Taney County schools to shop for holiday gifts in Santa’s Gift House and enjoy the spirit of Ozark Mountain Christmas. 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 on Saturday, December 10, 20222.

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 bubble gum machines, colorful paintings, “best dad” gnomes, decorative items, bath salts, scarves, jewelry, Dad’s Stache, Mom’s Emergency Kits, painted candy bowls, shadow boxes, and many others. Most of these 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 each of the four Taney County public high schools; ScholarCare that provides monthly support for a college student, in addition to the monetary scholarship award; Birthday parties for children at the Crisis Center School Supplies replenishment in January for elementary schools; and Book Swap for those staying in extended-stay motels.

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 almost 100 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 at jatcmo@gmail.com

Published by: Branson Globe, Saturday, December 3, 2022; Branson Tri-Lakes News, Wednesday, December 7, 2022; Branson Globe, Saturday, December 10, 2022