JA collects presents for children in need

Published 12:00 am Monday, November 28, 2005

NATCHEZ &8212; Need a gift for that person who has everything?

Junior Auxiliary President Cheryl Branyan has an idea for you.

&8220;Someone told me this once. Come give a gift to us and get the angel to give to that person with a note letting them know you sponsored an angel,&8221; Branyan said.

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The Junior Auxiliary is once again putting on its Angel Tree, and the organization need your help. In the angel tree, locals get a name of a local child from the JA, get a wrapped gift for them and receive an ornamental angel for their home tree.

&8220;We have people collect the angels every year,&8221; Angel Tree Chairman Denise Nelson said. &8220;I have a small collection now since this is the third year I&8217;ve worked on this.&8221;

The tree will be set up at the Concordia Bank Natchez branch from Dec. 4-16 and members of the JA will be on hand to provide names and collect gifts. The organization has 150 names of children 12 years old and younger from three local organizations, CASA, the Department of Human Services and Catholic Charities.

&8220;I love doing this every year,&8221; Nelson said. &8220;I love being in Junior Auxiliary and getting to do things like this.&8221;

Gifts are delivered to charities Dec. 16 for delivery to the children.

&8220;My favorite part of this if helping the children. For some children, this might be the only gift they get,&8221; Branyan said. &8220;It also helps families. Put yourself in the position of a parent who can&8217;t afford to get their child a gift. We&8217;ve all been there, and if we haven&8217;t yet we will be.&8221;

The JA also accepts monetary donations. To participate or make a donation, go to Concordia Bank in Natchez during business hours Dec. 4-16. Gifts must be returned to the tree by Dec. 15. Donations can be sent to Junior Auxiliary, P.O. Box 1592, Natchez, MS, 39121.