The Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg strives to help the children and families of Warren County, and they live up to their mission.

This week, the organization sold and distributed more than 800 lunches consisting of red beans and rice with sausage, corn on the cob, cornbread and dessert with funds raised to be applied to the organization’s service projects throughout the year.

The fundraiser was put on through a partnership with Hinds Community College instructors Tim DeRossette and Matt Campbell and the CTE high school, college and Mi-Best culinary arts students.

This partnership provided an excellent opportunity for these students to help give back to the community and put their skills to the test. Judging from responses from those buying plates, the students did a superb job.

In September, about 400 students got to experience what it’s like to budget a monthly income with living expenses as part of Junior Auxiliary’s Game of Life at Vicksburg High School.

The students were assigned jobs and incomes and they learned a lesson about financial responsibility before being thrust into the real world. Many students also wrote checks for the first time.

The organization also recently hosted Camp Silvercloud for differently-abled individuals in our community. This year the event was hosted at Warner-Tully YMCA Camp near Port Gibson.

The campers were each paired with local high school counselors who taught them how to canoe and shoot bows and arrows during their overnight camping trip.

JAs have recently been working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant wishes for local children with life-threatening medical conditions.

This fall, JAs sponsored a trip to Disney World and threw a going away party at Beechwood Elementary for a young boy in our community with heart problems.

In addition to these projects, Junior Auxiliary also works with the CAP Center, Warren County Children’s Shelter, Good Shepherd Community Center, VWSD Social Worker and in programs promoting literacy and tutoring area students.

While it is great to build meaningful connections and relationships in the community, it’s also important to remember the purpose of our local service clubs.

We would challenge all service organizations to live up to the service part of their organization’s mission and do something good for the people of Warren County like the Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg.