Jammin' for the Kids canceled, but donations and toy collection continues - The Vicksburg Post

Jammin’ for the Kids canceled, but donations and toy collection continues

Published 2:15 pm Tuesday, November 23, 2021

: Mike & Marty & Co. perform at the 2014 Jammin’ For The Kids fundraiser. (Submitted/The Vicksburg Post)

For the second year in a row, Jammin’ for the Kids, a fundraising event that features local musicians, will not take place.

“We have listened to many donors and participants of our event, and for the health and well-being of everyone involved, we have decided to not host an indoor gathering for the 24th Annual Jammin’ for the Kids,” event organizer Kemper Ehrhardt said.

The decision to cancel was due to the large number of people who have gathered in the past to attend the annual fundraiser.

However, this has not deterred organizers from continuing the tradition of raising money and taking in toys that will benefit children in Vicksburg and Warren County.

Like last year, when the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ehrhardt said, collection boxes will be placed at locations around town for people to drop off new, unwrapped toys,

The locations include the front door of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, across the street from the Warren County Courthouse; at the entrance of River City Rescue on Washington Street; at Toney’s Grill and Seafood Market on U.S. 61 North; and inside The Biscuit Company Restaurant at Grove and Washington Streets.

“If anyone wants to donate larger items, such as bicycles or unwrapped toys that will not fit in our toy collection boxes, River City Rescue will pick these items up and you can make arrangements by calling 601-636-6602,” Ehrhardt said.

For those who would rather open their wallets and donate financially, Ehrhardt said, checks can be made out to “Beyond Walls Ministries,” which is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) organization, and mailed to or dropped off at River City Rescue, 3625 Washington St. Vicksburg, MS 39180.

Beyond Walls Ministries is an organization that provides services to prison inmates. Proceeds and toys from Jammin’ for the Kids go to support children of parents who are incarcerated and have no means to provide for them.

Since its inception nearly 25 years ago, Jammin’ for the Kids has provided toys for thousands of children in the Vicksburg and Warren County area, serving anywhere from 200 to 300 children each year.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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