(Biloxi-Ocean Springs, MS)- Junior Auxiliary Biloxi-Ocean
Springs will spearhead the Mississippi Santa’s Program Biloxi location at
Nativity BVM Elementary Gymnasium on December 9-11, 2010.
Mississippi Santa is an outgrowth of
relief effort that was organized in 2005 after Katrina by Charles Green. He
made a connection with the Stephen Siller Foundation which is sponsored by New
York firefighters and the organization had become a huge part of this effort.
During the Christmas season of 2005, the firemen volunteered to come to the
coast with toys and books for the children. The event has continued from there
and has expanded along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
“The Biloxi-Ocean Springs Junior Auxiliary is proud to
partner with the New York City Fire Department to provide donated toys to
deserving children in Harrison and Jackson Counties this Christmas.
Through the Mississippi Santa program, we are given the opportunity to lift the
spirits of the children we serve and their families during the holidays,” said
Jessica McNeel Project Chair for MS Santa.
Celeste Oglesby, President of The Junior Auxiliary of
Biloxi-Ocean Springs commented on the project saying “The Mississippi
Santa project is extremely important to our chapter.
Through Mississippi Santa, the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Junior Auxiliary is able to
provide toys to children in need just in time for Christmas. Last year,
we provided over 500 children with toys. My hope is that even more
children are served this year through this project.”
The schedule is as follows:
·
Thursday,
December 9, 2010-
Firefighters and trucks will arrive in the area. They will deliver and help
unload the toys at each distribution site along the coast. They will arrive at
Nativity BVM at 2:30pm.
·
Friday,
December 10, 2010- Biloxi-Ocean Springs JA chapter members and other volunteers will be
unpacking and setting up toys beginning at 8:30am.
·
Saturday,
December 11, 2010- Distribution will take place between 9am-Noon.
On Saturday, December 11, area
families may bring their children to the distribution site. They will receive a
book and small toy of their choice.
Children will be able to visit with Santa and receive a small snack. “A
value cannot be placed on witnessing the joy on a child's face as they select a
toy for Christmas. Our chapter is honored to be selected to partner with
the Mississippi Santa program in order to provide toys at Christmas time for
children in need in Harrison and Jackson Counties,” said Oglesby.
Toys will be given on a first come
first served basis. The event is for children 10 years of age and under, and
the children must be present to participate in the event. The doors will open
at 9am and close promptly at noon.
JA Biloxi-Ocean Springs is part of
the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA), a non-profit organization founded
in 1941 with headquarters in Greenville, MS. NAJA has more than 13, 500 active,
associate, and life members in 101 chapters in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. The NAJA slogan is
“Care Today- Character Tomorrow” and when teamed with the current focus of the
Association, Junior Auxiliary Chapters are working more than ever before to
increase awareness of child health and welfare and hot it affects their
futures.
