Today we’d like to introduce you to Junior Auxiliary Of Crittenden County, Arkansas.
Hi Junior Auxiliary of Crittenden County, Arkansas, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our chapter began in West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1959, founded by a group of dedicated women who recognized a growing need to support children and families in the community. Originally established as the Junior Auxiliary of West Memphis, the chapter later expanded its reach to serve the entire county—including Marion, Earle, and Crawfordsville—and was rebranded as the Junior Auxiliary of Crittenden County.
Our roots trace back even further to 1935, when the first Junior Auxiliary chapter was founded in Greenville, Mississippi, by a group of doctors’ wives moved by the needs of families living in shanty boats. Today, we are proud to be part of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, a network of 89 chapters across seven southern states, made up of more than 15,000 members.
Our local chapter is now composed of women from all walks of life, united by a shared commitment to strengthening our community and living out our motto: “Caring hearts, helping hands, changing lives.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In recent years, our chapter has experienced significant changes. The impact of COVID-19 deeply affected both our community and the way we operate. While the need for our services grew, we had to navigate the challenges of safety regulations and restrictions designed to protect those we serve. These circumstances also made it difficult to maintain membership levels and continue fundraising efforts essential to supporting our mission. Despite these obstacles, we’ve remained committed to rebuilding—strengthening our membership and re-establishing our presence in the community so we can continue meeting the needs of others.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For over 50 years, the Junior Auxiliary of Crittenden County has been committed to serving our community, with a special focus on supporting local children and families. As a nonprofit organization made up of dedicated women from within the community, we channel our efforts into meaningful service projects that aim to uplift, empower, and make a lasting impact.
Through our wide range of initiatives, we’ve touched the lives of countless children and families. Some of our signature projects include:
Back to School Bash – An event held at a local Boys and Girls club where we provide over 350 clear backpacks filled with school supplies to local students in the community. Along with receiving backpacks, we also team up with local community partners to provide free haircuts, hearing and vision screenings, and access to other valuable community resources.
Hope for the Holidays – A magical holiday event for selected families throughout Crittenden County that features breakfast, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, stocking snacks, a visit from Santa, and a full Polar Express experience. We love hosting this event for those who may not get the chance or have the means to attend other local holiday events. We knew that these children deserved to feel that holiday spirit just as much as other children.
Best Day Ever Boxes – Distributing more than 100 birthday kits to children, complete with cake mix, balloons, a birthday banner, cards, and other festive surprises to make their day special.
The Bobbi Dodge Art Project – Named in honor of our beloved life member, this program hosts community art classes that explore various artists, eras, and techniques, along with a community wide art show in the spring to highlight the students’ work.
Project Impact- for this project, we hosted the workshop, Owning Your Crown, which was a one day event where local high school girls learned lessons about leadership, life skills and planning for success. They completed vision boards, packed feminine hygiene bags for their peers, and were given a lesson on all things etiquette during a sit down lunch with our members.
Scholarship Program – Awarding scholarships to local high school seniors to help support their higher education goals.
Family Game Night – Encouraging families to “disconnect to reconnect” by spending quality time together in alignment with our national focus. We played board games and had other fun activities including crafts, jewelry making, and even an ice cream sundae bar!
Showered with Love – Partnering with a local organization to provide young mothers with essential items like car seats and postpartum care kits.
The AMEN Project (Aid to Meet Emergency Needs) – Bridging the gap for families and students facing urgent situations with emergency support.
Project Lovelight- Our National child welfare project, where we create an ongoing and lasting meaningful relationship with a family in the community. We were recently awarded the highest honor from our parent organization, the Mary Carole Bowers Outstanding Service Project of the Year, for our work with this project.
These are just a few of the ways we work to serve and support Crittenden County.
To fund our projects, we host two major annual fundraisers: Mistletoe & Bingo, the ultimate girls’ night out held in the fall, and our spring Chari-Tee Golf Tournament. These events allow us to continue making a difference year after year.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The continued success of the Junior Auxiliary of Crittenden County is rooted in our unwavering commitment to the community, especially the children and families who need us most. Our organization thrives because of the compassion and dedication of our members—women who lead with heart and a shared purpose. Collaboration and teamwork are essential to our impact, as we work closely with one another and with local partners to bring meaningful projects to life. We embrace creativity and adaptability, always seeking innovative ways to meet the evolving needs of our community. Behind every initiative is a foundation of strong leadership, organizational excellence, and a tireless volunteer spirit. It is this blend of purpose, passion, and persistence that fuels our ability to serve and uplift others year after year.
Contact Info:
- Email: jacrittco@gmail.com
- Other: https://jacrittenden.square.site/
