Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary to Provide Gently Used Coats and Sweaters to Women and Children of Hattiesburg
HATTIESBURG, MISS., Tuesday, November 29, 2011— Members of the Junior Auxiliary (JA) of Hattiesburg will once again host its Coat and Sweater Giveaway this Saturday, December 3 at Kamper Park Pavilion in Hattiesburg. JA volunteers will be distributing gently used coats and sweaters to women and children of the Hattiesburg area from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
The media is invited to see this far-reaching project in action, as members of the JA Wardrobe Warehouse project will give away hundreds of gently used coats and sweaters in a variety of sizes.
This event is free and open to the public; however, items will be limited per person and there are limited quantities of clothing available for men. “As an organization, we are doing our best to make sure no one in our community suffers through the winter due to a lack of warm clothes,” said Valerie Wilson, project co-chair. “While we may not be able to solve all of the problems facing individuals, we can provide the warmth of a coat or sweater, which can be a tremendous need during this time of year.”
Along with this one-time annual coat giveway, the JA Wardrobe Warehouse project serves families and children year-round, with a boutique-styled ‘store’ for individuals needing assistance.
“JA is honored to provide a safe personal shopping experience for women and children that may not otherwise be possible,” said Charla McSwain, project co-chair. “We receive referrals from partner agencies to provide much needed clothing, oftentimes working with families in emergency situations, such as fire or disaster. The Wardrobe Warehouse boutique is always free to those we serve, in hopes of easing the burdens they are experiencing.”
Wardrobe Warehouse has been a project of JA for the past five years, serving women, children and men in Forrest and Lamar counties. At last year’s event, more than 200 items to area residents.
To learn more about the Coat and Sweater Giveaway, contact JA at 601.466.8108.
Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary to Provide School Uniforms to Area Students
HATTIESBURG, MISS., Thursday, September 8, 2011—Hattiesburg area students are starting school with new school uniforms provided by the Junior Auxiliary (JA) of Hattiesburg. Last year committee members were able to serve 150 students in Forrest and Lamar Counties.
The School Uniform Service Project takes place each fall and spring, serving kindergarten through sixth grade students from 14 Hattiesburg area schools.
Committee members work closely with school counselors from participating schools to provide uniforms to those children most in need. This project alone has a budget of $7,000, raised through the generous contributions of the community at the annual Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball on 11-11-11 (November 11, 2011).
“For students who come from disadvantaged homes, school can be a difficult place,” said Dixie Elementary Assistant Principal, Karen Vines. “Coming to school in a shirt with holes or ill fitting pants can make students feel less worthy than their schoolmates. The uniforms provided by the Junior Auxiliary not only give these students much needed clothing, but also boosts their self-esteem. This, in turn, has a positive effect on student achievement and performance. This program is a great benefit to Dixie's students.”
Contact: JaofHattiesburg@gmail.com
(In the picture are Junior Auxiliary member,
Laura Owen and Dixie Elementary Assistant Principal,
Karen Vines, taken at Dixie Elementary)
Forrest General receives donation of children’s books from Junior Auxiliary
HATTIESBURG, MS – (August 25, 2011) The Junior Auxiliary of Hattiesburg recently donated 75 children’s books to Forrest General to help staff comfort children who have experienced the loss of a family member to cancer.
The donated copies of “Today Was A Good Day,” written by local children’s author Kathy Chase Young and illustrated by Forrest General employee Kelly Arcarese Stanford, will be available at Forrest General’s Cancer Center and on the Oncology Unit for children who are going through the painful loss of a family member to cancer. JA members raised the money to publish the book through the annual JA Charity Ball in November, with the help of corporate sponsors such as Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services and Camellia Home Health and Hospice. The book is also available for purchase at Pine Grove Books and Gifts on 28th Avenue.
CAPTION 1: Pictured with the donated books are staff and physicians of Forrest General’s Oncology Unit and Junior Auxiliary representatives. Pictured, from left, are Lee Applewhite, Leslee Smith, Kelly Arcarese Stanford, Teresa McDaniel, Ashley Scarborough, Andrew Rogness, M.D.; Cherie Perez, Jeni Dawkins, Stacey Odom, Bobbie Applewhite and Angie Reeves.
CAPTION 2: Forrest General Cancer Center staff will use the donated books to help children who are going through the painful loss of a parent or family member. Pictured front row from left are Dawn Smith, Nikki Walters and Shelley Rucker. Pictured second row from left are Trudie Eubanks, Mandy Gammill and Darlene Pipkins.
