Junior Auxiliary receives Kindness In Action recognition

HATTIESBURG, MS. - The Junior Auxiliary (JA) of Hattiesburg is this week's Kindness In Action recipient.

It is more than just a club of 100 women, JA consists of women who strive to make a difference in the community.

Hattiesburg JA President Julie Russum said, "JA’s mission is to serve the children and families of the Pine Belt."

The organization has 19 projects throughout the year where it helps children and families.

“We help with areas like the ARC through out Penningtons night out program. We offer help with the Abbie Rogers Civitan camp, we work there at night so the works can get rest in the evenings" said Russum.

JA also has a backpack project. "We take backpacks into schools so we can help the children. We also have a uniform project, just various projects where we can help the community.”

One of JA's goals is to teach young women about volunteerism. Two years ago JA started their very own Crown Club.

"It is an organization for high school girls, 10th and 11th grade to become and be mini JA member essentially" Russum said.

She added, "They have their mini JA the run very much like we do, they have their own finances, they have their own fundraisers, they run side by side is.”

JA hopes the high school students become pillars in the community.

“It is kind of something that we felt is a need in the community to involve girls and teach them at an early age what volunteerism is" said Russum.

Russum said she hopes when people see the blue shirt, the Pine Belt community can count on them.

“They kind of give a sense of volunteerism, 'oh they are here' and that’s what we are here for we are going to help" she said.

To learn more about JA you can click here.