NATCHEZ &045; Throughout the year, members of the Natchez chapter of Junior Auxiliary work to fulfill the wishes and needs of children.

This holiday season, Miss-Lou residents have a chance to help them do just that.

Beginning today, the JA Angel Tree will be on display at AmSouth Bank’s downtown branch.

Anyone interested in making Christmas brighter for a child in need can pick up one of the angels &045; which include the name and age of a child &045; and then drop off a gift later at the bank.

Dec. 18 will be the last day to drop off a gift, said JA member Monica Cross. Donors are asked to wrap each gift, but what’s inside always varies depending on the child’s age and sex, Cross said. &uot;A lot of people do like to go all out,&uot; she said.

The Angel Tree is just one of the many ways JA helps children throughout the year. With just two major fund-raisers &045; a 5K race in the spring and a crawfish boil in the fall &045; the group provides a variety of services for different children’s groups.

&uot;Monetary donations are always welcome,&uot; Cross said.

Among JA’s major projects are Operation Back to School, which provides school supplies to children who need them; Camp Sunshine, an annual day camp for the students at Pleasant Acre Day School; and KidCare Photo ID, which took place just last month.

Throughout the year, though, JA also offers smaller projects to put smiles on children’s faces.

&uot;We try to do a monthly ‘happy’ at the Sunshine Shelter,&uot; Cross said. &uot;And we have Halloween parties and Easter egg hunts for the children at the Guardian Shelter and the Sunshine Shelter.&uot;