Merit Health River Region kicks off its semi-annual Masquerade jewelry sale today.

The event is a fundraiser sponsored by the hospital volunteers, director of marketing Leigh White said.

“The money raised goes towards the Joe and Feeney Elliott Scholarship Fund,” White said.

“Feeney was a volunteer years ago who loved the hospital, and her husband, Joe, also became a volunteer. They were very special to our volunteer auxiliary, so when the auxiliary decided to start a scholarship fund, the members decided to name it after Joe and Feeney Elliott,” White said.

Scholarship applications are available to any graduating senior at the four local high schools who are looking to pursue a career in health care or the medical field. Scholarship recipients are chosen by a group of volunteers made up of educators and nurses, with two students from each school awarded cash scholarships, White said. 

“Last year the scholarships awarded were for $2,000, each,” she said.

Also, one scholarship is awarded to a Miss Mississippi Pageant non-finalist who is planning on going into the medical or health care field.

“That scholarship is a $1,500 scholarship,” White said.

All items sold at the sale, which includes jewelry, bags, scarves, clothing items and cell phone accessories, are priced at $5 and the volunteers receive $1 for each sale.

White said in years past, the group has made in excess of $10,000 between the fall and spring sales.

“The Masquerade sale is very successful,” White said, with more than a 1,000 shoppers attending the events.

“We have women coming from all over for the jewelry sale. We will have people even calling after one is over asking when the next jewelry sale will be,” White said.

For the event, a representative from the Masquerade Company will provide items for the sale, White said.

“She will get in there and start setting up and she and her staff will do the checking out and restock the merchandise,” White said.

Hospital volunteers assist by setting up tables and aid shoppers.

The spring 2018 sale will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday.

The event will be held at the Merit Health River Region, 2100 Highway 61 North, in conference rooms C and D. Cash, credit and debit cards will be accepted, only.

For more information, call 601-883-6118.