Schools are back in session and the ladies of the Natchez Junior Auxiliary are gearing up to help any and all students in the Miss-Lou who may need their assistance.

Two events are coming up, and we need your help in making them successful. The JA’s will prepare spaghetti lunches on Aug. 14. The Natchez Little Theatre has generously offered its facility, which will be used as a location for pick-up and delivery for the event.

Each $8 plate will contain spaghetti and meat sauce, garlic bread, a side salad, and a cookie. The monies raised during this event will be used to help repair the canteen roof, which was damaged in a storm earlier this year. Any remaining funds will be used to help other service projects for area school children.

One such project, scheduled for this fall, will include purchasing scarves for children who have inadequate clothing during the winter months. Several organizations in the Miss-Lou conduct coat drives each year, and this would be a great complement to the work those organizations are already performing.

The other program is “Pack the Backpack.” This project is a new spin on a long-time JA project, “Pack the Bus.”

The reason for the change is the idea of reaching individual children. As members of JA, we aim to have a positive influence on as many children as possible. We know it is not uncommon for children to go to school lacking the basic school essentials: notebooks, pens and pencils, folders and even backpacks. No matter financial situations, it is the belief of every JA, that children have all the required materials to succeed. We aim to outfit every underprivileged child with all of the school supplies they need, including the backpack.

Anyone can donate to the “Pack the Backpack,” and you will be recognized for your donation. Donation levels are as follows: $10-$50; $50-$100; and $100-$150. The higher levels of donations are recognized as sponsorship levels and are as follows: $150-$200, gold sponsors, and $250 and up, platinum sponsors. The higher level donation will also help us provide uniforms to children who do not have them.

This area has a long and loving JA history. Aside from the hard work of the ladies of JA, we all know the kind of good-hearted, caring and generous people who reside in the Miss-Lou. It is because of the support of the people around us that JA has managed to serve children in this area for decades, and with your help, we can continue that legacy for years to come. Help us help the children of the Miss-Lou prepare for their futures. Help us to remain a beacon of hope and charity to those in the community who need us to be there for them in difficult times.

Any donation to the Junior Auxiliary is appreciated. Our goal is to help children who need us, and with your help — we can do just that.

For more information, please contact Meredith Faust at 601-446-3235 or Morgan Mizell at 601-597-8244.

 

Morgan Mizell is a member of Junior Auxiliary of Natchez.