Junior Auxiliary of Taney County recently held the 13th Annual Santa’s Gift House in Branson and Bradleyville. 270 children were given the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for loved ones. The event was held December 10 at the Family Life Center of Branson United Methodist Church and continued on December 14 at Bradleyville Elementary School.

This event marks the beginning of the holiday season for many children in our area. Kids were greeted this year by a live Christmas tree and after shopping were able to tell Santa what they would like to get for Christmas. Santa gave each child a candy cane and a book before they rushed off to get a sweet and hot chocolate.

Throughout the year, members of the Junior Auxiliary and their friends and families make gifts for this children’s event. Approximately 40 ladies and their family members and friends worked on making sure Santa’s Gift House was a success. This year gifts included shadow boxes, bubble gum machines, baby dolls, popcorn tubs full of goodies, painted bowls filled with assorted candies, teacup candles, and many more. Each child was allowed to pick out four gifts at a charge of 50 cents per item. One of the goals of this project is to allow children a sense of ownership in choosing their own gifts while they learn that giving can be better than receiving. JA members help the children shop and wrap gifts while accompanying adults sit and relax.

Special thanks to Branson United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their Family Life Center and Liberty Exposition Services for a discounted price on the pipe and drape used to separate the shopping area from the rest of the room. The Junior Auxiliary is also grateful for the Bradleyville High School students who helped set up the Bradleyville event.

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. JATC is part of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA), a non-profit organization founded in 1941 with headquarters in Greenville, Mississippi. Their slogan is “Caring Hearts-Helping Hands-Changing Lives”.

Santa’s Gift House is one of many service projects that JATC members provide to the community. Other JATC projects include Tender Critters for children in trauma; School Supplies “refreshment” in January for elementary schools; Book Swaps for children who live in extended-stay motels; Kindness Effect Cards for residents of nursing homes and senior living centers and Scholarships for each of the four high schools in Taney County. More information about 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.

Published by: Branson Globe, Friday, December 23, 2022; Branson Tri-Lakes News, Saturday, December 24, 2022