Page 30 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2019

COASTNOTES story by Christen Duhé
photos courtesy of Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport
Junior Auxiliary (JA) of Gulfport believes that caring for a child makes an important difference today and every day in the future. Through general and social welfare projects, the women of JA of Gulfport work hard to provide everything from basic necessities to Christmas gifts for children in our communities.
Since 1948, JA of Gulfport has been serving the children and families in Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian, and other areas of Harrison County. In 1991, JA of Gulfport provided the initial funding for Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, and they continue to support the museum each year through monetary donations and volunteer projects.
One of their largest projects is Looking for a Christmas Miracle and it is held at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center each December. This project provides nearly 100 children with a picture perfect Christmas experience filled with presents, a visit with Santa, and games with members of JA of Gulfport.
In 2019, JA of Gulfport added a new project, Beach Day at the Wheelway. This project is in partnership with the City of Long Beach and allows children with wheelchairs the access they need to enjoy our beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches. JA
of Gulfport purchased and installed the ramp on the beach in Long Beach in 2018, and it is the only handicap accessible ramp on the beach in South Mississippi.
These are just two projects of the many that the organization maintains each year that serve over 23,000 children in our community. The
CLOCKWISE
FROM BOTTOM
RIGHT: Pajama
Drive at
Chick- l-A,
Lynn Meadows
Discovery Center
Donation, Looking for a Christmas Miracle, Beach Day at the Wheelway, and Fill the Bus at Regions Bank.
CENTER: Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport group photo.
projects are all funded through the organization’s annual fundraiser, Charity Ball. The 70th Annual Charity Ball, “The Greatest Show,” will be
held on December 7 at Sideshow Props Warehouse in Gulfport. It will feature a $2,500 raffle, silent auction, as well as live entertainment by Paperchase.
To help JA of Gulfport continue to serve children in Harrison County,
www.jagulfport.org
please consider donating to the organization or becoming a patron sponsor for Charity Ball. For more information, visit jagulfport.org/ charity-ball.
30 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • November 2019 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net