The Junior Auxiliary of Columbus held its 75th Charity Ball Saturday at the Trotter Center. Those unfamiliar with JA might be inclined to dismiss the organization as a women’s social club. Visions of the Junior League on which JA was based when it started in 1942, with its debutante balls and high-society membership, certainly don’t tell the full – or even the best story of Junior Auxiliary.

It is a women’s organization that goes far beyond pomp and circumstance. In connection with the Charity Ball, JA released its annual Report to the Community, which came in the form of a 70-page magazine that provided details on the JA’s programs during the year tucked among the dozens and dozens of advertisements from local businesses and supporters. It seemed as though every business in Columbus bought an ad in the publication, which speaks to JA’s success in building relationships in the community as well as the esteem to which JA is held by their benefactors. Junior Auxiliary isn’t about tea parties and fashion shows. It’s about the kids the organization serves in an abundance of ways.

There is a culture of community service in Lowndes County and Columbus few communities are able to replicate. The number of nonprofit organizations found here is simply off the charts.

The typical civic organization is pleased if it can successfully complete one or two projects a year and is right to take pride in those targeted efforts to help our community.

Suffice to say Junior Auxiliary of Columbus, which currently has 72 active members, is not the typical civic organization. Its Report to the Community provided an overview of each program JA conducts each year, no fewer than 12 distinct and unique programs each designed to promote JA’s mission of serving the children of Lowndes County.

Being a member of some civic organizations means a weekly luncheon, contributing dues, making donations and, occasionally, showing up to participate in a project, although no one is compelled to volunteer their time.

That model doesn’t work with JA. There is simply too much work that needs to be done. Among the programs are those that provide art supplies, food, multiple clothing programs, shoes, as well as character-building and social skills development, fitness, field day to foster an inclusive community and financial literacy. JA also has a club for sophomore and junior girls to introduce them to volunteer service and a scholarship program. There is also a mentorship program where JA members work one-on-one with a student through the entire school year.

Each year the class of new members – 15 in this year’s class – selects a service project. They are responsible for growing the project, ideally eventually spinning it off into its own non-profit or program. The most successful example of this from the past is Camp Rising Sun.

JA of Columbus members are required to perform 72 volunteer hours, but they easily exceed the requirement. As a group, JA of Columbus performs more than 10,000 volunteer service hours a year, none of which including meetings or non-program activities.

When all that JA does is considered, there is likely no organization that does more for the school children of Lowndes County.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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