Causes: Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations, Human Services, Women, Womens Service Clubs

Mission: Junior Auxiliary of Taney County (JATC) is a group of women dedicated to improving the lives of children in Taney County, Missouri. Our projects are designed to fulfill the virtues of charity, youth, health, community service and leadership in members and those we serve.

Results: JATC was established in 1997 by a group of caring, enthusiastic women who wanted to make a difference in the lives of local children. They received their Chapter Charter from the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) in 1998 and have continued to grow and thrive throughout Taney County. Over the past few years we have paid monthly utilities for Women's Crisis Center Cottage for abused women and children and refurbished the cottage from top to bottom; donated hundreds of stuffed animals for children admitted to the local hospital; donated hundreds of dollars worth of school supplies to local schools; annually provided thousands of dollars in College Scholarships to high school seniors from four Taney County high schools; provided opportunities for hundreds of children to experience the joy of giving at Christmas; provided hundreds of girls the opportunity to attend their prom who otherwise would not have been able to attend; provided thousands of dollars for children to receive backpacks of food over the weekend; provided homework help and books to read for children living in extended stay motels.

Target demographics: the general public, with particular emphasis on children, and to cooperate with other organizations performing similar services

Direct beneficiaries per year: hundreds of children in Taney County improve their mental, physical, social and emotional well being.

Geographic areas served: Branson, Hollister, Rockaway Beach, Forsyth, Taneyville, Bradleyville, Kirbyville & other communities in Taney County

Programs: Scholarships for seniors from all 4 Taney County high schools; ScholarCare for college students who need continuing encouragement throughout their college years; prom dresses --This project provides new or gently worn prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who might not otherwise have an opportunity to enjoy their proms. Girls are identified through high school counselors and are allowed to choose dresses at designated times; Tender Critters projject provides new stuffed animals for children who are brought to the emergency room and/or admitted to Cox Hospital. At times this project will provide stuffed animals to Police, Sherriff, Fire, Emergency Responders, and/or any other organization in Taney County that needs to provide comfort for kids in a stressful situation; mid-year replenishment of school supplies and hygiene products for Taney County elementary schools; Santa’s Gift House, which provides affordable holiday gift shopping for children; Crisis Center Support, This project provides birthday parties for children who are living at the Crisis Center of Taney County. In addition, weekly “Empowering the Little Dreamers”, a two hour program each week gives the kids a chance to have a good time with special activities while moms attend counseling. ; Book Swap Stop provides donated collections of books for placement in bookshelves in the lobbies of extended-stay hotel/motels, due to elevated transient/homeless issues in our county. Once a month, collections are exchanged. ; Christmas Assistance project adopts 3 or more students through the Branson Schools Welfare Office and provides gifts to help the kids have a good Christmas; Steam Punk project will provide information on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics for kids in Grades K-4.Students will earn badges at booths and receive a Halloween costume when they earn all their badges.