The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus (JAC) received six National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) awards during the 2026 Annual Education Conference, held May 1-3 in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Challenge of Champions” earned the Wilma Johnson Wilbanks National Focus Award. The program pairs special education students at West Lowndes Elementary and Caledonia Elementary with student buddies for an inclusive indoor field day featuring adapted games and activities. This year, 54 students participated, with total attendance reaching 132. The event emphasizes inclusion, teamwork and encouragement.
“Clothes to Go – Clothing Fair with Regional Housing Authority” received the Martha Wise Award for Existing Project. JAC partnered with the Columbus Regional Housing Authority to provide uniforms and essentials for children. In 2025, the fair served 90 children, and an additional 110 were served through JAC’s ongoing Clothes to Go program across Columbus Municipal and Lowndes County schools.
“Unfiltered: The Not So Pretty Side of Social Media” earned the Merrill Alexander Greenlee Award. Developed by the 2024-25 provisional class, the program focuses on digital safety education. After more than 400 service hours of research and development, the initiative launched in February 2025 at Caledonia Middle School and has reached more than 200 students, with additional presentations planned.
The JAC Crown Club received the Outstanding Crown Club Award for 2024-25 after members contributed 736 service hours across Lowndes County high schools.
JAC also received the Award of Excellence, recognizing overall chapter performance, and the Efficiency Award for administrative excellence for 2025-26.
During the conference, JAC outgoing President Lacy Cooper presented the Cindy Rood Spirit of Service Award to Jamie Andrews of the Junior Auxiliary of Madison County, Florida.
“Our members have dedicated thousands of hours to serving children and families across Lowndes County,” Cooper said. “The true value of our work is not in recognition, but in service.”
JAC’s service year runs May 1 through April 30. Members contributed more than 9,500 service hours this year.
Junior Auxiliary of Columbus, founded in 1943, serves children in Lowndes County under the national motto: “Caring Hearts. Helping Hands. Changing Lives.” For more information about JA of Columbus, visit www.jacolumbus.org.
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