Starting school in a new grade with a new teacher is nerve-racking enough for a small child, but can you imagine if that same child enters that classroom without the right school supplies or perhaps with none at all?

Since 1949, the Natchez Junior Auxilary chapter has conducted numerous projects that improve the lives of local children, and this year is no different. Junior Auxiliary of Natchez is working diligently to ease the burden of back-to- school preparations for children by hosting Operation Pack the Bus.

Natchez JA is a national service organization that provides support, resources, education and health care training for their membership in order to optimize community service.

This service organization challenges its female members to be active and constructive community participants.

Their focus, of course, is children.

Each year Junior Auxiliary of Natchez conducts the project known as Pack the Bus in an effort to assist parents in meeting the need of a child’s back to school preparations.

Junior Auxiliary members collect and seek donations to assist the Natchez-Adams County elementary schools.

Donations needed include, but are not limited to pencils, crayons, paper, backpacks, folders, etc.

This year Pack the Bus will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Walmart in Natchez.

Supply list will be provided for shoppers.

All donated school supplies and monetary donations will be distributed among the schools and given to children who do not have the proper school supplies.

Anyone who wants to donate supplies should contact a Junior Auxiliary member for more information or can send a monetary donation to P.O. Box 1592, Natchez, MS 39120.

Please remember as we look around us and see the growth and renewal in our lives and community, we are reminded daily that adversity can be overcome by both giving and receiving assistance and working together toward common goals.

We know the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

We hope everyone will hop on board Saturday and help us Pack the Bus for area children!

Tiffiany Kyzar is a member of the Natchez Junior Auxiliary.