Junior Auxiliary of Obion County says thanks to supporters

Posted: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 8:00 pm

Members of Junior Auxiliary organizations across the nation donate their time every year to various projects.
More than 14,500 women served their communities last year through the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, giving more than 278,000 hours of their time and investing more than $2,400,000.
Locally, Junior Auxiliary of Obion County’s service projects include “Taking Care of Me,” a hygiene project; Adopt-a-Family, a child welfare project; Diaper Divas; Coats for Kids; Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Tennessee-Union City honor roll parties; Obion County Public Library programs; Fairest of the Fair; CornFest; Support Our Schools; Safeline; Healthy Start, Healthy Finish; and food bank.
The chapter raises funds each year through the annual Charity Ball. Donations can also be mailed to Junior Auxiliary of Obion County, P.O. Box 853, Union City TN 38281.
The hard work goes on year-round, but during the first week of April each year, the Junior Auxiliary of Obion County pauses to say thanks to the community for another great year.
“This is such an exciting week for us, because it gives us a chance to thank all of the citizens of Obion County for supporting us in this work, and to recognize our wonderful corporate sponsors who finance these projects,” president Tammy Allen said. “The families and children we serve are so deserving and thankful for this assistance, and none of that would be possible without the support of the entire community.”
“Junior Auxiliary has a rich history of service, and the Junior Auxiliary of Obion County, is carrying on that tradition. This chapter embraces the founding principles of our national organization, helping children and making a difference in their lives,” said Lisa Biglane, NAJA president.
Junior Auxiliary of Obion County was chartered by a group of caring, enthusiastic women and continues to grow and thrive throughout Obion County. The chapter is a part of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA), a non-profit organization founded in 1941 with headquarters in Greenville, Miss. NAJA has more than 15,000 active, associate and life members in 100 chapters in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.
Junior Auxiliary is comprised of women ages 23 and older. To be a lifetime member, women are asked to commit five active years and one provisional year to the organization. Volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year on a variety of projects that focus on local children and families in need of assistance.
The local auxiliary also has a Crown Club, which is made up of high school girls who have been nominated for membership in the organization. Members are expected to maintain a 2.5 grade point average, attend monthly meetings and perform at least 20 hours of volunteer work in their community throughout the school year. Crown Club not only fosters interest in its members in the social, economic, educational, civic and cultural conditions about them, but also allows them to meet the community service hours requirement for the Tennessee Scholars program. Crown Club members are advised and supervised each year by a Junior Auxiliary committee. The club recently held an Easter egg hunt at the Obion County Public Library.
The Crown Club slogan is “Caring and Responsibility for Others Who Are in Need” and when combined with the focus of Junior Auxiliary organization, these girls will be shining a new light on community and child health and welfare.
The NAJA slogan is “Care Today — Character Tomorrow.”
For more information on Junior Auxiliary of Obion County, like the club on Facebook.
For more information on NAJA, visit www.najanet.org.

Published in The Messenger 4.10.13