While working closely with school counselors, the Junior Auxiliary provides non-perishable meals to children who have been recognized as going without food on the weekend.

Before the community shutdown in spring 2020, we delivered roughly 2,200 meals to students in need around our community! Last year the ladies of Laurel Junior Auxiliary donated 429 recorded hours of time to this project. We purchased an estimated 4,400 Capri Suns, 2,200 crackers/granola bars, applesauce, fruit cups, 8,800 beef jerky sticks, 6,600 Vienna sausages & more. Our meals must be shelf-stable for children to take home and prepare for themselves over the weekend until they return to school the following week.

A glance at what this cost our organization on average per child/week: $5.75 per week. We have a predicted number of 110 students in need so far this year making it $632.50 total a week and with 35 weeks this school year, an estimated expense of $22,138. (*This total does not include donations.) This number far exceeds what we have in our budget to put towards this worthy project.

We are estimating to deliver 3,850 meals during the 2020-2021 school year! Laurel Junior Auxiliary cannot do this without the donations we receive during the year. If you or your business is interested in donating food/money towards Secret Meals or sponsoring a school, please let us know. You can contact us at jalaurelsecretmeals@gmail.com or contribute non-perishable items via our Amazon wish list.

The playground, in Mason Park, was built in 2002 by Junior Auxiliary members with the assistance of 1,500 volunteers.  Junior Auxiliary, in partnership with the City of Laurel, oversees the upkeep and maintenance of the playground.

CROWN stands for Care and Responsibility for Others Who Need.  Crown Club is an affiliate of Junior Auxiliary of Laurel.  The Crown Club includes 10th and 11th grade girls from Laurel and Jones County schools.  Crown Club members must maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA and obtain a minimum of 10 service hours.   Crown Club girls assist Junior Auxiliary members with various projects.

Very Special Arts Festival is a much loved service project held in conjunction with the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art every fall.  It is a day for all special needs children in Jones County and surrounding counties to get together and enjoy music, arts and crafts, and one another.  On the average, 300 children are served.

Chic Chat at Laurel High School is Junior Auxiliary of Laurel’s child welfare project.  Once a month JA members will mentor 9th grade girls on topics such as conflict resolution, bullying, etiquette, stress management and forgiveness.  Junior Auxiliary of Laurel’s main goal is to teach girls the importance of going to school and staying in school.

GIRL TALK provides an educational and fun day for 8th grade girls at Laurel Middle School.  This one day workshop shares information on topics such as girl’s health, self-esteem, and healthy choices.  Entertainment and special treats are provided throughout the day.  This project teaches girls the importance of making healthy choices for a brighter future.

The Done In A Day project provides assistance to other community organizations, giving them the manpower they need.  Community organizations may request Junior Auxiliary of Laurel’s assistance in writing.  If approved, members will assist as needed.

Junior Auxiliary of Laurel awards numerous scholarships to high school seniors from the Laurel and Jones County schools.

Junior Auxiliary of Laurel Scholarship Application 2022

Scholarship Application 2022 (PDF)

To heighten awareness of child abuse and neglect, Junior Auxiliary of Laurel members perform puppet shows to first grade students at all 12 schools in the Jones County area.  The puppet shows provide information on neglect, signs of physical and sexual abuse, and assist children in identifying individuals who can help.

Family Matters provides school uniforms to children in need in the Laurel and Jones County schools.