JA OF OXFORD, MS PROJECTS
Camp Bats & Balls
Camp Bats and Balls is a free half-day baseball skills camp for boys in 3rd & 4th grades. Through a partnership with the Ole Miss Baseball team, this project provides the attendees the opportunity to experience a sports camp as they rotate through stations led by the team. Not only do the boys get to hang out with the baseball team for a few hours, but they also leave with an autographed photo of the group, lunch donated by area restaurants, and a Camp Bats and Balls t-shirt. The Junior Auxiliary of Oxford works closely with local school counselors and teachers to spread the word about this camp to boys in the community.
Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine is an overnight camp for upcoming 5th grade girls (just finished 4th grade) held at Camp Hopewell in Oxford in May or June of each year. This project provides a camp experience for attendees who may not be able to attend a camp otherwise. Members of the Junior Auxiliary of Oxford spend many hours organizing and preparing for the camp's many activities. This fun project allows the JA members to interact with campers while also providing the opportunity for swimming, games, exercise, and crafts.
Children's Book Festival
Each spring, the Junior Auxiliary of Oxford partners with the Lafayette County Literacy Council as well as local school librarians for the Children's Book Festival. In an effort to help increase student interest in reading, the JA of Oxford provides each 5th grade student with a free book from a nationally recognized children's author. Students then have the opportunity to read the book and participate in class discussions. This project also helps bring the author to Oxford for a presentation and Q&A session with the students. Over 1,000 local students participate in the Children's Book Festival.
CASA Cares
Created to support Court Appointed Special Advocates ("CASA”), our members provide encouragement throughout the year for the children and advocates through handwritten notes, cards, and donations. During the winter holidays, we provide over 100 stockings to the foster children. On an as-needed basis, JA members also provide specific donations to children who are new to the system, such as mattresses, clothing, school supplies and more.
"Character Day"Costume Drive
This project was new in 2022-2023 and was the project introduced by the Provisional Class. The purpose of this project is to provide the children of the community with Halloween Costumes during “Character Dress Up Days” offered at the schools during the week of Halloween
Crown Club
Crown Club serves as a "mini JA" for 9th-12th female girls who reside in the Lafayette/Oxford area. Members should be passionate about volunteering & giving back to their community.
F.R.E.S.H. Project
F.R.E.S.H. stands for Focusing Resources on Effective Student Hygiene. The goal of the F.R.E.S.H. Project is to focus on providing children in Lafayette County, Mississippi with the items which are most needed to help promote good personal hygiene. The F.R.E.S.H. Project currently serves the following local programs: Lafayette Upper Elementary School, Lafayette Middle School, Lafayette High School, Della Davidson Elementary School, Oxford High School, Oxford Middle School, Oxford Intermediate School, Boys & Girls Club, and the OSD Family Support Center.
Headstart Helpers
Headstart Helpers is a project for the preschoolers at ICS Headstart. This year, our chapter provided each student with a Christmas book, mittens and a toy for Christmas. We are hopeful to have the opportunity to do our annual visit in each classroom on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, read a Dr. Seuss book, do a themed craft, and send each child home with a Dr. Seuss book through our book drive. We want to encourage literacy at a young age and use this project to reach children before they enter the school system.
On Call for Kids
On Call for Kids is an ongoing project that allows JA of Oxford with the opportunity to provide emergency support to children or families with children on a temporary basis. With this project JA members have been able to provide clothing and toiletries after a house fire, groceries in situations where there may not be enough food for children, payment of utility bills, and other urgent needs.
PJ Project
This project takes place prior to local elementary schools’ Polar Express Day. On this special day, students wear pajamas to school, enjoy a cup of cocoa, and watch the Polar Express movie. JA works with counselors and teachers to make sure that children in need have new pajamas (and a new Christmas book donated from Junior Auxiliary members and Crown Club members) to wear for this event.
Reading Pals
This project includes 2nd-3rd grade students at Della Davidson Elementary School. Activities include reading with pal during the school day and celebrating reading successes with AR. Other potential activities could include an end of year party for the 3rd graders following the state reading test. Additionally, this project could provide book fair funding for students who would not otherwise be able to participate. There is potential for growth as the project moves forward.